MetroStars defender Thomas Dooley announced his retirement today, concluding a brilliant 21-year playing career that spanned the Bundesliga, two World Cups, and four years in Major League Soccer.

"I consider myself very fortunate to have made a living playing the sport which I love very much," said Dooley. "My career has introduced me to many new people and places. It is tough to stop playing, but I will look forward to the new challenges that will arise with my retirement. I definitely want to stay involved in the game."

Dooley, 39, ends a playing career that began in 1979 with Tus Landstuhl of the German third division. He eventually played in Germany for FK Pirmasens ('80-81), FC Homburg ('82-87), FC Kaiserlautern ('88-93), Bayer Leverkusen ('95), and Schalke 04 ('96-97). He spent most of the '94 year with the U.S. national team preparing for the World Cup.

As a member of FC Kaiserlautern, Dooley won the German Cup in 1990, and the league title and German Super Cup in 1991. He won the prestigious UEFA Cup in 1996 with Schalke 04 after beating Inter Milan on penalty kicks.

Dooley joined Major League Soccer in 1997 with the Columbus Crew where his solid play earned him recognition to the "Best 11" Team in '97 & '98. In addition, he played in the '98 and '99 MLS All-Star game.

The lanky defender joined the MetroStars in a trade with the Columbus Crew for Mike Duhaney on January 20, 2000. He played in 20 games with the MetroStars, totaling two assists in 1,318 minutes. Dooley finished his MLS career with 83 appearances, five goals, and six assists in 6,333 minutes.

His career took on further recognition when he played for the United States in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups. He made 81 appearances and scored the winning goal in a 2-0 upset of England in 1993.

Dooley will retire and live in Laguna Niguel, California, where he has recently built a home. He plans on creating a soccer university in the Orange County area to help train young players on the fundamentals of the game. The former captain of the national team wants to pass his soccer knowledge and experience onto the local soccer community.