After a successful 13-year career in MLS and across Europe, former Real Salt Lake defender Robbie Russell announced his retirement today. Best remembered by RSL fans for hitting the clinching penalty kick in the 2009 MLS Cup, the 33-year-old Russell will now head to Georgetown University's Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program.
Russell came to RSL in July 2008, signing with the Claret-and-Cobalt after spending the first eight years of his career in Scandinavia. The Duke University product spent three-and-a-half seasons in Utah, making 78 appearances for RSL before he was traded to D.C. United ahead of the 2012 season.
Russell and several Real Salt Lake personalities shared their thoughts on Russell's career in a nice article on DCUnited.com, with Claret-and-Cobalt Head Coach Jason Kreis, Captain Kyle Beckerman and goalkeeper Nick Rimando singing the praises of the former RSL man. Defenders Nat Borchers - who recently told American Soccer Now that Russell is his closest friend in soccer - and Chris Wingert also had a nice quotes about Russell, though theirs didn't make it into the article.
Here's what they all had to say:
Russell: "Salt Lake was a great time for me. It is a club that is very close to my heart. Any club that you have a lot of success with, you feel an extra bond to. But it was also a really special group of guys."
Kreis: "He will be forever remembered for his 2009 MLS Cup-winning penalty kick, but his true contributions were much more thorough, impressive, and long-lasting that that one kick. His legacy at RSL... will never be forgotten."
Beckerman: "Not only was Robbie a great player, but he [is] an even better person. He'll always have a place in the hearts of the RSL family for the hard work he put in and of course for his penalty he took to win the MLS Cup 2009."
Rimando: "[Robbie is] one of the smartest, most unselfish, and worst-dressed players I ever played with. And although his last PK in 2009 was memorable, it was his Brandi Chastain celebrations that I'll miss. Good luck in your next adventure bud."
Borchers: "Robbie was a major part of our success from '09-'11. He brought a lot of high-level experience to this team and he knew how to win. He fit in everywhere... I think the only position he never played was striker! I'll never forget the PK he took in '09 to win us the MLS Cup. He was so calm when everything was on the line for us. He was a winner in soccer and I have no doubt he will be a winner in the next phase in life."
Wingert: "Robbie Russell is definitely one of the best teammates you could ask for as an athlete. Great player, great locker room guy, and somebody that will have just as much success outside of soccer as he has had in it. Congrats on a great career Robbie!"
Congrats Robbie, and best of luck at Georgetown.
