Music: {allcanada} Onstad retires to enter coaching

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

{allcanada} Onstad retires to enter coaching

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HOUSTON -- Canadian goalkeeper Pat Onstad, who led the Houston Dynamo to consecutive MLS Cup championships, retired Tuesday to accept a position on D.C. United's coaching staff.

"Pat has been an instrumental part of our club over the last five seasons," Dynamo president Chris Canetti said in a statement. "We are very thankful for all he has done, on and off the field, to contribute to the Dynamo's success.

"He will always be fondly respected and remembered by our fans and our organization. We wish him all the best in the future and congratulate him on an amazing playing career."

Onstad, a Vancouver native who turns 43 next month, has been playing professional soccer since 1987. He became the oldest player in MLS history earlier this year.

Onstad broke into Major League Soccer in 2003 with the San Jose Earthquakes and won Goalkeeper of the Year honours while helping San Jose to its second MLS Cup championship.

Onstad won the award again in 2005 when San Jose won the Supporters' Shield with the best regular-season record.

When the club moved to Houston prior to the 2006 season, Onstad came with it and helped the Dynamo to MLS Cup titles in each of their first two years in Houston, giving him three overall. He played a key role in the Dynamo leading MLS with the fewest goals allowed in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

"I want to thank Pat for all he's done for the organization, the staff, and all the players, not just on our team but throughout the league," Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear said. "I know for a fact that if he shows the same dedication and determination that he did as a player all these years, he's going to make a wonderful coach.

"I want to wish him luck, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank him for all he's done for the team."

Onstad retires as the Dynamo club leader in games started (170), minutes (15,339), and every goalkeeping standard -- including 50 shutouts -- in all competitions. In MLS regular-season history, he ranks as the league's all-time leader in goals-against average (1.12) among goalkeepers with at least 10,000 minutes and third among all qualifying goalkeepers. He also ranks fifth all-time with 64 shutouts. In career post-season games, Onstad was 10-7-4 with a 1.23 GAA.

Onstad made 57 appearances for Canada -- a team record for a goalkeeper -- while playing from 1988 to 2010. He posted a record 21 shutouts and helped the squad reach the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup championship and 2007 Gold Cup semifinals.