Los Angeles Galaxy Ins And Outs: December 11, 2013

Pablo Mastroeni has decided to call it a career, finishing his time playing the game as a member of Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy. He ends the season eighth in MLS history with 334 regular season games played and fifth all-time with 316 regular season games started, scoring seven goals and adding 27 assists.

Sep 18, 2013; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy defender/midfielder Pablo Mastroeni (6) during the second half of the Champions League game against Isidro Metapan at the StubHub Center. Galaxy won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Mastroeni spent 11 years with the Colorado Rapids and was traded to the Galaxy in mid-June and appeared in nine regular season games for LA and three games in the CONCACAF Champions League. In addition to his distinguished club career, Mastroeni also spent nine years playing with the U.S. National Team, collecting 65 caps, 50 of which came when Bruce Arena served as the National Team’s head coach.

“After spending the last 16 years playing in Major League Soccer and with the U.S. National Team, I have decided that this is the appropriate time to retire from the game,” Mastroeni told reporters this week. “I am honored to have spent my entire professional club career playing in MLS and I now look forward to watching this league continue to grow as I begin the next stage of my life.”

“We’d like to congratulate Pablo on his 16-year professional career,” said LA Galaxy General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena. “Pablo is a special player who made every team he was on better. His presence, work ethic and enthusiasm for the game made him a successful player on both the club and National Team level. We wish Pablo well in the next step of his career.”

Also retiring from the game is goalkeeper Matt Reis, who ended a long, illustrious career with the New England Revolution to become the new goalkeepers coach for the club.

“I have been truly blessed for the past 16 years,” Reis told RevolutionSoccer.net. “I’ve been able to do something that I love – play soccer for a living. There have been many coaches who have influenced my development and helped get me to this point, and I have played with some fantastic players, many of whom are friends for life. I have played for two amazing organizations over the years.

Nov 6, 2013; Kansas City, KS, USA; New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis (1) puts the ball in play during the second half of the match against Sporting KC at Sporting Park. Sporting KC won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

“Both of those owners, the Kraft family and Mr. Anschutz, are deeply committed to ensuring soccer thrives in the United States. Because of their guidance, MLS has come a long way in the last two decades, and I am very proud to have played my whole career in this league and with these teams. I also want to make sure the fans know how much I’ll miss them, too. They’ve made this amazing ride more fun to be on through the years.”

“Trading for Matt Reis was one of the best acquisitions the Revolution has ever made,” said Revolution Investor/Operator Robert Kraft. “On the field, he was an elite MLS goalkeeper who set every career goalkeeping record in club history. He was a respected leader, both on the field and in the locker room, for more than a decade. He quickly became a fan-favorite and, for much of his career, was one of the faces of our franchise.

“Off the field, he was a tremendous ambassador for the Revolution, participating in countless community events throughout New England and earning MLS Humanitarian of the Year honors this past season. We will miss his steadying presence on the field, his constant presence in the community and his quick wit in the locker room. We thank Matt and his family for their many contributions and wish them the very best in the future.”

“Matt has been one of the most outstanding and inspirational members of our club for a decade, and we want to thank him for all of his remarkable efforts, both on and off the field,” Revolution president Brian Bilello said. “He’s been a model representative of the Revolution and has helped us reach great highs during his time in New England.

“It’s tough to see him end his playing career and know he won’t be back out on the field next year, but we want to wish him and his family nothing but the best in the next stage of their life.”

As the goalkeepers coach, Reis will work with the Galaxy first team and also work with the Galaxy Academy goalkeepers. The hope here is that the likes of Jaime Penedo and Brian Rowe will be able to benefit greatly from Reis’s experience. In a 16-year career, Reis made 288 appearances and 282 starts, with 110 wins, 1,114 saves and 75 shutouts in a career which also included a 2002 MLS Cup victory with the Galaxy.