SEATTLE, WASH. – Former Sounders FC midfielder Gonzalo Pineda today announced his retirement from professional soccer. The 13-year pro and 2006 FIFA World Cup veteran spent the past two seasons with Seattle following an extensive career in Mexico.
Pineda, 33, joined Sounders FC following a lengthy career in Mexico in which he made over 200 appearances from 2002-2013. The Mexico City native came to Seattle prior to the 2014 campaign, making 56 MLS appearances over two seasons and recording four goals and nine assists. Pineda started 24 of 28 appearances in 2014 and totaled three goals – all penalty kicks – and ranked fourth on the club with seven assists, including four-game winners (tied for third in MLS). He again made 28 appearances in 2015 with one goal and two assists.
“We’d like to thank Gonzalo for his service to this club over the past two seasons,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors and look forward to seeing what comes next.”
The central midfielder began his professional career with UNAM Pumas, where he spent three seasons and captured the 2004 Liga MX Clausura and Apertura titles. He joined Chivas Guadalajara in 2006, where he made over 100 appearances in three seasons before separate one-year loan stints with San Luis, Cruz Azul, Puebla and Queretaro. Pineda earned 44 career caps for the Mexican National Team and participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, where he made four appearances as Mexico advanced to the Round of 16.
“It was a pleasure coaching Gonzalo Pineda the past two years and he was an integral part of our team,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid. “He is a true student of the game and I wish him well as he embarks on the next phase of his journey.”
Sounders FC begins its preseason preparation for the 2016 campaign this month before the club takes part in a series of Desert Friendlies in Tucson against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the Portland Timbers and Mexican side Celaya FC in early February. Seattle’s eighth season begins in late February with the 2015-2016 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal Round against Club America before the MLS season-opener on March 6. 2016 Sounders FC Season Ticket Packages, which include the first leg against Club America on February 23 at CenturyLink Field, are available now for as low as $24 per match online or by calling 1-877-MLS-GOAL.
