Frankly, it's unfair that Carlos Bocanegra -- a man who played in England, France and Scotland; a man who captained his country in a one World Cup and played in another; a man who earned more than a century of international caps over the course of 11 years, a man who was so steady and consistent in his position that it was a shock to see him oustered -- will have his retirement from the game overshadowed by another American great who grew up just down the road from Bocanegra's hometown of Rancho Cucamonga, California.
On the other hand, maybe it's fitting that Bocanegra will hang up his cleats at the same time that Landon Donovan hangs up his. The two players, both of whom hail from Southern California's Inland Empire, served as fixtures on opposite ends of the lineup for the U.S. men's national team for a decade together. Bocanegra as a versatile defender under Bruce Arena and Bob Bradley, and Donovan as an attacking force under the same two coaches. From 2003 through 2012, "Bocanegra" and "Donovan" were two of the first names penciled in to any American lineup in any game that mattered.
As connected as the two Californians are through their time with the USMNT, however, their club paths were very different. Donovan famously left Europe for the comfortable environs of MLS and remained for the entirety of his career.
Bocanegra, meanwhile, made the jump to England after four MLS seasons and toured Europe for nearly a decade. Through stops in the English Premier League, France's Ligue 1, the Scottish Premier League and Spain's La Liga, Bocanegra established himself as a consummate professional capable of playing multiple positions along the back line, and occasionally, even in midfield.
In an era when American were too often marginalized, Bocanegra not only earned regular starting spots for multiple teams in top leagues, he earned the honor of captaining them. If attempting to sum up his career in one word, "leadership" would be among the better choices.
- Carlisle: Guzan, Rimando must earn No. 1 shirt
- Klinsmann: Donovan farewell not awkward
- Davis: Altidore's cloudy USMNT future
- McIntyre: Hyndman leads the new kids
But Bocanegra's game was equally as impressive as the respect he garnered. A strong athlete capable of playing the physical side of the sport with anyone on the planet, he also excelled at reading the game. In his early years, during which he won back-to-back MLS Defender of the Year awards while with the Chicago Fire, Bocanegra simply dominated. Later in his career, with his foot speed waning, Bocanegra relied on his wealth of experience to shut down attackers through intelligence and guile.
It would be easy to forget just how dangerous the 6-footer (a listed measurement that might be generous) was in the air on the offensive end of the field. Bocanegra's 14 goals for the national team, the most by any defender, make that impossible. For a team that needed to leverage their set-piece opportunities to their full extent, Bocanegra was a true weapon in front of the opposing net. The defender had a knack for finding the ball in the air and heading it towards goal with venom.
After starting his career in MLS, Bocanegra signed for Fulham in January of 2004, during the same window as fellow American Brian McBride. The pair sowed the seeds of the "Fulhamerica" era, helping the small London club to gain its Premier League footing while also fostering a vibrant fan base in their native United States.
In many ways, the flirtation with Fulham was the beginning of the English football fascination that is exploding across the country today. Many an American soccer fan, previously with ties only to the national team, set their alarms for Saturday morning wake-up calls to watch the Cottagers fight it out in England's top division. The club's success with Bocanegra and McBride paved the way for other Americans at the club, most notably Clint Dempsey.
Bocanegra single-handedly made the French league of interest to Americans when he moved to Rennes, and then Saint Etienne, after more than 100 appearances with Fulham. His time in Scotland with Rangers saw him celebrated as "Captain America" by the Gers faithful, the superhero image fitting of his status and playing style. There, too, Bocanegra drew attention to a league most American fans would otherwise ignore.
By the time Bocanegra returned to MLS in June 2013 to join Chivas USA, his run with the national team was over. Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann showed little sentimentality in moving on from the former captain, opting to transition to younger options at center-back during the final round of World Cup qualifying.
Bocanegra, despite his own contributions to the USMNT, did not receive the courtesy of a send-off match. He wasn't there in Portland to get one more run as an MLS All-Star against a big-name international opponent. Bocanegra's announcement of his intention to retire at the end of the season came quietly, via Twitter, with almost no fanfare. The media did not gather in the bowels of the StubHub Center to hear him make said announcement.
Bocanegra's retirement at age 35 might naturally be overshadowed by that of his Inland Empire cohort Landon Donovan. Donovan ran fast. Donovan scored goals. Donovan served as the face of the USMNT for a decade.
But it was Bocanegra that served as captain in many of those U.S. teams Donovan starred in. It was Bocanegra that blazed a trail in Europe when Donovan stayed at home. It was Bocanegra who gained respect everywhere he went by virtue of his steady play and quiet leadership.
Donovan deserves his place on the retirement marquee in 2014. Now with the news that Carlos Bocanegra is calling it a day on his own career, it's time to make room for another icon of American soccer.