CHICAGO (Sept. 5, 2014) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Friday that midfielder Logan Pause will retire from professional soccer at the conclusion of the 2014 season after spending his entire 12-year professional career as a member of the Men in Red. Pause will be honored during the pre-game ceremonies for the Fire’s regular season finale at Toyota Park against the Houston Dynamo on Oct. 24.
“It’s with joy and humility that I announce this season will be my last as a professional soccer player,” said Pause. “I’m leaving the game and this profession with gratitude and joy to these gentleman sitting next to me, this wonderful club, this fantastic city, wonderful teammates past and present. The last 12 years I’ve been given some of the most amazing life giving experiences. I’ve poured my absolute heart and soul every single day, games and practice, but what I’ve gotten in return has been way more than I can remotely explain from this club, from this city, from the fans from my teammates and coaches.
I wouldn’t be sitting here without the support and care of the wonderful people in my life. My wife, who’s been my biggest fan and I can convincingly say I wouldn’t be here without her by my side. To my kids, they’ve been making the road trips longer and longer and they’ve helped make me the man and person that I am. To my parents and brother it would only be right if they were on the cover of this announcement in celebration. The weekends, the travel, the support, the love, I would not be where I am without them.
A special thank you to Andrew and Ellen Hauptman for the continued support and opportunity to work here and most importantly the friendship that we’ve gained over the years. To Frank, C.J., Clint, Aron and Tony, the entire staff and previous coaches I’ve had that have poured out opportunities and stuck by me. Of course I wouldn’t be here without their support and knowledge.”
A native of Hillsborough, N.C., Pause played collegiately at the University of North Carolina from 2000-02, leading the Tar Heels to the 2001 Men’s College Cup title. After the 2002 season where he served as a co-captain, Pause was selected in the third round (24th overall) of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft by the Fire. In his rookie season, Pause made an immediate impact, starting 15 of the 23 matches in which he appeared, helping the Men in Red to the team’s first ever MLS Supporters Shield and third Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title.
“I want to thank Logan for everything he has accomplished as a Fire player,” said Fire owner Andrew Hauptman. “His character and integrity truly personify the Fire Way and it has been a honor to have Logan represent the Club. He will always be a part of the Fire family, and I wish Logan, Vaneesha and their two daughters all the best as they enter this next chapter of their lives.”
Pause’s 12 seasons with the Fire tie him with Cobi Jones (LA Galaxy) and Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids) for second longest continuous tenure with one MLS club behind only Fire Original and current assistant coach C.J. Brown, who played 13 years for the Men in Red.
In 281 MLS matches to date, Pause scored three goals and tallied 11 assists, accumulating only 22 yellow card and was ejected just twice in regular season play.
Pause has 14 post season appearances to his name as the Fire have qualified for the playoffs seven times, reached the conference finals four times and the MLS Cup final once during his tenure.
In 2006, Pause started three of his four appearances in Open Cup play, playing the full 90 minutes as the Fire won their fourth Open Cup trophy in a 3-1 win against the LA Galaxy on Sept. 27.
Versatility has been one of Pause’s greatest attributes as he showed his worth both in his familiar defensive midfield position and also slotting in as a dependable right back during his career. A veteran presence in the latter stages of his career, Pause served as captain of the Fire for three years from 2011-13.
Pause averaged 25 games per season over the course of his playing career. On Aug. 12, 2012, Pause suffered two broken ribs and pneumothrax against the Philadelphia Union. After it was projected that he would miss up to six weeks following the injury, he missed just two matches and returned against the Houston Dynamo on Sept. 2.
Most recently, Pause was honored as the 2012 MLS Xbox Individual Fair Play Award winner, based on objective criteria including fouls committed, cards received, games and minutes played, as well as subjective evaluation of sportsmanlike behavior.
With six international caps to his name, Pause made his senior national team debut for the United States on July 4, 2009 in a 4-0 win over Grenada in the opening match of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Pause featured for the full 90 minutes and notched an assist on Robbie Rogers’ goal in the 60th minute of the match.
A member of the Chicago Fire Foundation Board of Directors since 2009, Pause was named the winner of the 2009 MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year for his work in the community.
