The ‘Mayor of Hannover’ Moves on

Cherundolo Announces Retirement from Professional Soccer

CHICAGO (March 19, 2014) – Three-time FIFA World Cup veteran Steve Cherundolo announced his retirement from playing professional soccer today. The captain of Hannover 96 in the German Bundesliga is calling it quits after 15 years and is the only U.S.-born player to play his entire career in Europe.

• Steve Cherundolo by the Numbers
• Steve Cherundolo at Home in Hannover
• MNT in Germany: Steve Cherundolo, Part 1
• MNT in Germany: Steve Cherundolo, Part 2
• 2010 FIFA World Cup: Studio 90 Extra Time

Arguably the best ever to play at right back for the Men’s National Team, Cherundolo earned 82 caps for the United States. Turning in one of the USA’s outstanding performances in South Africa, he started the past seven World Cup matches going back to 2006. A two-time finalist for U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year, Cherundolo finished with 26 appearances in World Cup qualifying and earned a CONCACAF Gold Cup trophy in 2005.

While he had two memorable goals of his own – a 75-yard strike from distance past Oliver Kahn against Germany and the game-winner in the 2007 Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup – his most memorable point came when he sprung Landon Donovan in on goal for the finish that sparked the USA’s comeback in the 2-2 draw against Slovenia in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.