D.C. United and Devon McTavish announced today the 27-year-old defender’s decision to retire from professional soccer. The Winchester, Va. native had a successful run with the Black-and-Red, helping United claim the 2006 and 2007 Supporters’ Shields, as well as the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
“I feel good [about the decision],” said McTavish. “I have to take care of my body, and after talking to a doctor I have taken his advice. I thought long and hard about it and just decided that it’s time to quit playing the game – mostly for health reasons.”
Devon McTavish
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MIN | G | A | SHT | SOG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | United | 5 | 3 | 265 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2007 | United | 22 | 20 | 1,825 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 4 |
| 2008 | United | 26 | 25 | 2,223 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 11 |
| 2009 | United | 11 | 5 | 431 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | United | 19 | 16 | 1,405 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Totals | 83 | 69 | 6,149 | 1 | 4 | 23 | 11 |
The versatile defender joined United in 2006 after a standout career at West Virginia University. After being selected in the fourth round (43rd overall) in the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft, McTavish went on to play a total of 83 regular season matches (69 starts) during six campaigns with United, contributing one goal and four assists in 6,149 minutes of action.
“It has been a pleasure to have worked with Devon on and off the field for the past six years,” said General Manager Dave Kasper. “He is a true professional with a huge heart and we wish him the best of luck with his future endeavors.”
“Devon was the first guy I knew that played for D.C. that grew up a D.C. United fan,” said Head Coach Ben Olsen. “On the field his versatility always seemed to bail us out, and you couldn’t find a better teammate. Off the field his commitment to the community was the best I’ve seen in my time here and he seemed to always cherish being a part of this club in a way I hope our current and future players embrace.”
McTavish made his MLS debut on June 21, 2006, and he played in five matches (three starts) that season, logging a total of 265 minutes of action. The United defender made strides during his second year, playing 22 matches (20 starts) as one of the most adaptable players on the team, filling the role of centerback, fullback, defensive midfielder and outside winger. McTavish played an important role in a defense that allowed just 34 goals in 30 matches – third fewest in MLS.
The United defender was a big part of the team’s 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title, scoring three goals in the first two matches of the competition. McTavish played a role in the 2009 Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League campaigns, playing every minute in four of the team’s five Open Cup games and six of eight Champions League matches. In 2010, McTavish appeared in 19 League games (16 starts), logging 1,405 minutes of action.
McTavish was sidelined for most of the 2011 MLS season after suffering a concussion in a preseason friendly against Florida International University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
A friendly and accessible player, McTavish is also recognized in the D.C. Metropolitan community for his work off the field. A constant contributor to United for D.C. – United’s charitable arm – he was named the club’s MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year in 2010 and Washingtonian featured him as one of the 2010 Washingtonians of the Year.
“[The transition to a different line of work] will be scary, but at the same time I’m looking at it as a wonderful opportunity to try to see what else I can do out there,” continued McTavish. “I was extremely lucky to be able to play six years of professional soccer. I don’t know what lies ahead for me in terms of the next professional career, but I’m excited to see what else is out there and to see what else I may be good at.”
