U.S. men

Reyna confirms his retirement from national team after fourth World Cup ends.

Claudio Reyna retired as one of the most celebrated American players ever. -- U.S. Soccer Federation photos --

HAMBURG, Germany (June 23, 2006) -- Claudio Reyna, one of the most talented and influential players in the history of United States soccer, announced his retirement from international competition today, a day after the Americans were eliminated from the World Cup.

"This was my last game," said Reyna, a midfielder who played in four World Cups and will turn 33 on July 20. "I decided that before the World Cup. It was clear that four years was too much time for the next one, so it just makes sense to stop now. It's a good time to stop playing at a good level."

U.S. striker Brian McBride, a veteran of three World Cups, also hinted after yesterday's setback he was done as far as the international game was concerned. "Yes, this is my last World Cup," said the forward for Fulham in the English Premier League.

Reyna's tournament and international career came to a close in the 40th minute of yesterday's 2-1 loss to Ghana. He was injured in the 22nd minute when Haminu Draman, stripped him of a ball, banging knees with Reyna before going in and scoring to give a Ghana a 1-0 lead. Reyna was treated for five minutes on the sideline before he returned to the match, but he could not move properly.

"My knee was just not capable of going on," Reyna said. "I could feel it every time I made a cut."

Reyna represented his nation on 112 occasions -- fourth all-time for the U.S. -- scoring eight goals. His 18 assists are third best the U.S. annals. He is also tied with goalkeeper Kasey Keller for the all-time lead with 31 appearances in World Cup qualifying matches. Reyna, who had one goal in qualifying, did not score in 10 World Cup outings

In addition to wearing the Red, White and Blue at the 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups, Reyna was also played for the U.S. in the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics, but his 15 games and four goals in that program are not included in his national-team statistics.

Brian McBride said his third World Cup would be his last.

"The greatest comment I've heard about Claudio from a fellow player was Earnie Stewart saying that he brings peace to the game," U.S. manager Bruce Arena said. "He established such a comfort level for our players in big games, all along. He's been there in all the big games in the World Cups. He was part of what everyone will view to date as our greatest moment in the 2002 World Cup.

"When we look down the road to the day where we eventually win a World Cup, Claudio is still going to be remembered as one of the greats and one of the pioneers."

In 2002, Reyna became the first American to be named to the FIFA World Cup All-Star First Team after helping his team on a run to the quarterfinals of that tournament. He played one of his finest matches in a 2-0 second-round defeat of Mexico that year, setting up the U.S.'s first goal and taking control of the right flank throughout the game.

"Playing in World Cups are definitely milestones," Reyna said. "I would have been happy to play in one when I made the first one in 1994. To make four is something beyond my dreams. I would have never thought that growing up. Those have definitely been highlights, and 2002, getting to the quarterfinals, was an amazing turning point for the program."

Reyna, a Springfield , N.J., native, is currently with Manchester City of the English Premiership and has played professionally in Europe for 12 seasons in England, Scotland and Germany. When he moved from Sunderland in England to Scotland's Glasgow Rangers in 2001, the transfer fee of $5.7 mission was the highest ever for an American.

He is entering his fourth season with Manchester City.

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