Dax McCarty plans to retire at the end of the 2024 season, his 19th in Major League Soccer.
The 37-year-old McCarty signed a one-year contract with Atlanta United FC in January, featuring an option for the 2025 season. But he won’t be using that option.
“It’s been a hell of a ride, but it will be over soon,” McCarty wrote 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.”
FC Dallas made McCarty the sixth overall pick of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, and he went on to play for Dallas (2006-10), D.C. United (2011), the New York Red Bulls (2011-16), the Chicago Fire (2017-19), Nashville SC (2020-23) and Atlanta. His 481 career appearances rank third in league history behind Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando.
McCarty has tallied 22 goals and 71 assists in that time. He has yet to find the scoresheet in 15 appearances (eight starts) for Atlanta.
McCarty also earned 13 caps for the United States national team between 2009 and 2017.