Eddie Pope to retire

Real Salt Lake's Eddie Pope will retire at the end of this season.

After twelve seasons in the league, Pope decided it was time to leave. "It's just time. You get up in the morning and you're in pain, before practice you are in pain, and after practice you are still in pain. It's certainly not a lackadaisical decision."

No matter if it was with United, New York or Real, Pope was always a major contributor to his team. His work on defense would settle clubs. He has made many memorable plays during his years but perhaps the biggest of them all was his Golden Goal in the 1996 MLS Cup that gave DC United the title.

Pope joins Cobi Jones as a MLS original ending their career this season.