Brad Davis retires as member of Houston Dynamo

Photo by Lou Roesch,
Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved.

By Lou Roesch

Special for TexSport Publications

Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 16, 2017) One of the classiest players to take the pitch for the Houston Dynamo or the world for that matter retired after a storied career in Major League Soccer. In a ceremony packed with former players, assembled media and a plethora of others, Houston Dynamo legend Brad Davis called it quits after 15 seasons.

“The finality of it still hasn’t sunk in,” said Davis in his own humble and inimitable way. “From the fans, to the media, to the organization, to my former teammates, it has come full circle. Everyone should be proud of their part and keep the passion alive for the game.”

Davis’ name appears in the Houston Dynamo record book more than Dynamo president Chris Canetti had time to go through on Thursday afternoon. He was celebrated like the star that he was and is both on and off the field. Few will remember that Davis’ career actually started with the New York MetroStars. Even fewer as Davis alluded to following the press conference to announce his retirement would remember the name New York MetroStars. Even fewer than that will know that Canetti was with the MetroStars when Davis arrived in 2002.

Eventually both would move on before reuniting back in Houston in 2006 as the Earthquakes arrived in late December and the Dynamo became a reality. Davis and his left-foot would capture the imagination of the city winning back-to-back MLS Cup titles and reaching four finals in his ten years. The former midfielder said that he wasn’t gifted with athleticism, speed or height but God did gift him with a talented left foot.

“When I was real young, I was all left-footed,” continued the former national team player in speaking about his career. “About the age of 5, people started to recognize that there was something there, something a little bit different. It’s crazy because my seven year old is the same way. He takes all the set pieces. I am getting to relive it all over again.”

With more corner kicks to his credit than any player in MLS history, Davis also ranks at or near the top of record books ranking third in assists (123), fourth in games played (392), eighth in games started (339), and 10th in minutes played (29,577).

As the former national team player walks away from the pitch on a day when all was made right in Houston Dynamo land, he echoed the sentiments that other Dynamo legends and players have said previously. “It’s fitting, this is what it was supposed to be like. This gives me closure on my career. It just feels right. It feels the way it should after 15 years to do it in a place that gave me so much. ”

Davis will be honored by the Dynamo on July 5, 2017.