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Sounders Legend Scott Announces Retirement

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 09/15/16, 12:19PM EDT

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Played for seven seasons with Seattle in the USL before remaining with club in MLS

SEATTLE, Wash. – Legendary Seattle Sounders FC defender Zach Scott, whose career with the club began in the USL in 2002, announced on Thursday that he will retire at the end of the season, bringing the curtain down on an outstanding 15-year career with the club.

“The time has come for me to turn the page on my soccer career and start a new chapter of my life,” said Scott in a club statement. “When I signed with the USL Sounders in 2002, I never imagined that I would have a professional career that lasted 15 years, and it's been a rare blessing to have played in the same city the entire time. That said, I have much more to offer in this life and I couldn't be more excited to see what's next.”

Scott joined the Sounders in 2002 after playing collegiately at Gonzaga University. In the Sounders’ USL era, Scott became a regular starter at both center back and left back as he made 139 regular-season appearances, scoring eight goals and adding three assists. Scott was part of two Sounders teams that won the USL First Division Championship in 2005 and 2007.

Additionally, Scott played a role in the Sounders’ runs in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, as the club reached the semifinals of the tournament in both 2007 and 2008 as a USL club. Scott’s penalty kick in the sixth round of a shootout against the then Kansas City Wizards sent the Sounders through to the semifinals in 2008.

“When I joined the USL Sounders in 2002, I never could have imagined the journey I would have with this young, aggressive rookie from Gonzaga. Fifteen seasons later, my relationship with Zach has grown to emulate the progression of the organization – an unwavering bond of commitment, growth and achievement,” said Sounders FC Interim Head Coach Brian Schmetzer, who served as the club’s head coach during the USL era. “It is difficult to imagine a match, training session or community event without Zach, but I am forever grateful for his 15 incredible seasons with our club. His commitment toward doing whatever it takes to help the team win, and striving to be his personal best are qualities that make him forever a Sounder.”

Scott remained part of the Sounders when the club joined Major League Soccer in 2009, and has currently made 116 career regular-season appearances for the club, including 91 starts. Scott is the Sounders’ all-time leader with 20 games played in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play since 2009, helping Seattle claim four Open Cup titles in that span, and ranks first in club history with 19 starts in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Scott made his 300th career appearance as a Sounder on September 24, 2014 against FC Dallas, and his 347 all-time appearances are nearly 100 more than the next closest player in Seattle history.


Photo courtesy Corky Trewin / Seattle Sounders FC

“For roughly as long as I've been involved with this organization, Zach Scott has been a mainstay of the Seattle Sounders. His longevity and passion for the club are nothing short of incredible, and he has my gratitude for 15 years of decorated service to his coaches and teammates, the overall organization and the city of Seattle,” said Sounders FC Owner Adrian Hanauer. “We are all so appreciative of everything Zach has done for the club, and while he may be concluding a storied playing career at season's end, he'll continue to be a friend of Sounders FC in our community for years to come.”

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