Dax McCarty announced on Monday that the 2024 MLS season his last. The first captain in Nashville SC’s MLS history, McCarty will retire after 19 seasons in Major League Soccer.
“It’s been a hell of a ride but it will be over soon,” the 37-year-old midfielder posted on social media. “Thank you doesn’t even begin to do justice to all the people in my life who have helped me live my dream. My cup is full.”
It’s been a hell of a ride but it will be over soon. Thank you doesn’t even begin to do justice to all the people in my life who have helped me live my dream. My cup is full ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Cc2QkJy8qK
— Dax McCarty (@DaxMcCarty11) August 19, 2024
McCarty was signed by Nashville ahead of their 2020 expansion season, a core piece of the club during his four seasons. With McCarty, Nashville qualified for the playoffs every season, with the midfielder making 94 starts for the club and becoming a face of the franchise on and off the field.
“After lots of thought and reflection, it is with an immense amount of pride and gratitude that I am announcing my retirement at the end of the 2024 season,” McCarty said in a video message. “… The competitor in me thinks I can play forever, but the realist in me knows that now is the right time to walk away. I have so many thoughts and memories and things that come to mind when I think about and reflect on my career, but the most important one is how grateful I am to everyone who’s been there with me along the way.”
Dax McCarty career appearances
| Team | Matches | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta United (2024) | 15 | 729 | 0 | 0 |
| Nashville SC (2020-2023) | 112 | 8,027 | 3 | 13 |
| Chicago Fire (2017-2019) | 87 | 7,664 | 1 | 12 |
| New York Red Bulls (2011-2016) | 186 | 15,884 | 15 | 28 |
| DC United (2011) | 13 | 946 | 0 | 2 |
| FC Dallas (2006-2010) | 98 | 6,782 | 6 | 17 |
| TOTAL | 511 | 40,032 | 25 | 72 |
McCarty departed Nashville after the 2023 season, despite his public desire to end his career in the Music City. He joined Atlanta United as a free agent, where he’s played 15 league matches so far this season. The Five Stripes are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with nine matches left to play, and currently occupy the final playoff spot in the conference.
“It’s been an amazing journey, and it’s not over quite yet, but I want to enjoy every last training session and every last game that I have left to be able to play this game,” he said. “19 years. Couldn’t quite make it to 20. That’s what keeps popping into my head.”
“These last 19 years have been a dream.”
