Whitecaps Midfielder Retires

Retirement is never easy for anyone involved in sports and now we are hearing that the Vancouver Whitecaps are losing Midfielder Andrew Jacobson as he sets out a path announcing his retirement from professional soccer.

He had an extremely successful 10-year professional playing career playing in Canada, France, Norway, and the US and calls  Palo Alto, California home.

In an open letter to his fans he stated “Deciding to call time on a 10-year career which has taken me to four countries and introduced me to countless people from all backgrounds and origins, while giving me the opportunity to play the game I love, was a hard decision to make.”

He continued “My gratitude goes out to the supporters around the world of the teams I have both played for and those I have not. Professional soccer would not exist without you spending your time and hard-earned money to watch us play. For that, I thank you for making my dream a reality. I also want to thank every player, coach and staff member who I have had the honor to work with over the years. Since my family and I made this decision, I have felt a rush of excitement. The strange part is, the feeling has nothing to do with the game of soccer. I am genuinely excited for the next chapter in my life.”

ANDREW JACOBSON CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Began his professional career with French Ligue 1 side FC Lorient
• 220 MLS appearances with 10 goals scored and 11 assists
• MLS career included time at D.C. United, Philadelphia Union, FC Dallas, New York City FC, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Played the 2014 season on loan at Norwegian Eliteserien club Stabæk Fotball

Whitecaps bench boss Carl Robinson mentioned “Congratulations to A.J. from everyone at the club for a fantastic career and I always admired the way A.J. played when he was an opposing player, and I am thankful to have had the pleasure of coaching him these past two seasons in Vancouver. He was a consummate professional, he came in focused every day, and he did whatever was needed to help the team. We wish A.J. and his family nothing but the best as he begins the next chapter of his life.”

A product of Jacobson ends his playing career with 266 professional appearances across time in France, the United States, Norway, and Canada.

He began his career with French Ligue I side FC Lorient in 2008, and spent one other season abroad with Norwegian Tippeligaen (now Eliteserien) club Stabæk Fotball in 2014, on loan from New York City FC.

Jacobson played for five clubs in his nine MLS seasons, including D.C. United, Philadelphia Union, FC Dallas, NYCFC, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

After joining the ‘Caps in 2016, Jacobson started 43 of his 56 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring four goals and recording two assists.

Overall in his MLS career, the now 32-year-old played in 222 MLS matches, including playoffs, scoring 10 goals and recording 11 assists.

He was born in Fort Myers (Florida) and moved to California where he attended Henry M. Gunn High School, being named 2003 Central Coast Section Player of the Year.

His collegiate career, saw him play at the University of California in Berkeley from 2003 to 2006, where he became a NSCAA First Team All-American, a three-time All Pac-10 honouree, and the 2007 Pac-10 Player of the Year as a Senior.

His international experience saw him play with the United States National Futsal team appearing in all four matches at the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil.

Thanks to the Vancouver Whitecaps for the press release and Sportswave wishes him all the best in his retirement.

For more information on the Vancouver Whitecaps please visit www.whitecapsfc.com