October 24th, 2008 . 1:17 pm . By: Buzz Carrick

FC Dallas has finally announced what seemed likely for some time, that Bobby Rhine will retire after this seasons final out in Los Angeles.  Rhine notified the club and had begun telling friends earlier this week that he would be giving up his playing days.  Few players amass a 10 year career in MLS, and an even smaller number do it with the same team.

Selected in 1999 by Dave Dir, Rhine went on to play in the second most games of anyone in a Dallas uniform, with goals and assist totals both in the top ten.  Rhine was drafted as a striker and spent his early year playing up top.  Like many, he moved back to midfield and defense later in his career.

However Rhine contribution on the field is far out weighed by his contribution off of it.  Never officially captain Rhine, has been a big part of the heart and soul of this franchise since he came to town.  Immense work ethic earned him the reputation as the greatest practice player of all time.  A terrific professional attitude in training and the locker room has long been a model for younger players to look to.  His locker room leadership and calm resilient demeanor on and off the field helped this team come together year after year.  Only those truly intimate with the team on a day to day basis, players, coaches, equipment managers, and team administrators will ever truly know the contributions of Bobby Rhine.  Rhine has left a mark on this franchise perhaps short of only Oscar Pareja and Jason Kreis.

Never one who relied on a being a gifted athlete, Rhine always got the job done on the field by understanding the game and reading the play.  A knack for being in the right place helped his as an offensive spark off the bench in his early days.  Knowledge of the game helped him adapt to the defensive side of  things and gave him a multiple year run as a starting defender in the later half of his career.  Forward, right and left back, wide midfield, holding midfield, slashing winger, and even attacking mid were all positions Rhine filled at one time or another for various Burn and FCD teams.

That versatility and understanding is part of what has made Rhine an intriguing broadcasting prospect the several times he’s filled in on FCD radio or TV broadcasts when he’s been injured of suspended. It’s long been assumed Rhine would go the broadcasting rout with his career.  But that same knowledge combined with his immense work ethic and respect around MLS would also make him a wonderful addition to the coaching ranks for FCD.  Either as a assistant with the senior side or as a coach in the FCD Juniors program, Rhine mind and time in the origination would a tremendous asset.

If we read between the lines of Rhine’s farewell letter [below] we can see things didn’t go so well at the end here as a player, again it shows Rhine’s character and class.  Perhaps he didn’t see eye to eye with the way Schellas was doing things.  Let’s hope that doesn’t get in the way of keeping Rhine around.  Letting the ten year investment in the player get away would be a massive mistake by FC Dallas.  With coaches in the league who know what Rhine would bring to the table, Jason Kreis for example, there will be offers for employment.  FCD should do the right thing for both Rhine and the organization by snapping Rhine up as a coach as soon as the season ends.

Rhine’s career has long been a sort of measuring stick for 3rd Degree.  The practice observations started, give or take, when he was drafted.  As long as 3rd Degree has been at training, Bobby Rhine has been there.  It’s going to be a shock to the system when a Practice Observations training session happens without Bobby Rhine.  Certainly it would be nice to see him play one last time at home in whatever post season friendly FCD is working on.  The captain’s armband for that game would be a nice touch.

So it’s so long Bobby Rhine the player, it’s been a terrific ten years with FCD.  Now hopefully it’s hello Bobby Rhine the coach.

If not we’ll just have to add it to the massive like of mistakes made by FC Dallas this year.

BOBBY RHINE ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT

FRISCO, Texas (Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008) – FC Dallas midfielder Bobby Rhine has announced that he will retire from professional soccer following the team’s last game of this season on Sunday, Oct. 26 at the LA Galaxy. Rhine, who has played his entire 10-year career with FC Dallas, is one of only 17 players in League history to have played at least 200 games for one team.

The team’s first round pick, sixth overall, in the 1999 MLS SuperDraft, he started his career as a forward, was converted to a right back during the 2005 season, and has played right midfield the past two years. His 211 games played in a Dallas uniform places him second on the team’s all-time list, his 34 assists are third most, and his 23 goals are the seventh most in team history.

Rhine wrote the following letter:

“It is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from Major League Soccer following our last game of this season, on Sunday in Los Angeles. I am proud of my ten year career with the Dallas Burn and FC Dallas; however, I am sad to be leaving the game and the team that I love.

In my ten years with Dallas, I’ve played in many positions in three stadiums. I’ve had five coaches, hundreds of teammates, and I’ve met thousands of loyal fans. It’s these people that have kept me motivated and striving for perfection in every game and in every season. I’ve had great professionals that I’ve learned from, and I’ve relished having the same responsibility toward my younger teammates in recent years.

In my first years as a professional, we were a league-owned team, with a locker room that consisted of a double-wide trailer at a local high school; and now, thanks to the Hunt Family, we play in one of the finest facilities in all of North America, Pizza Hut Park.

Looking back at my ten seasons in this League, I’ve seen so many new owners and investors; I’ve seen the opening of seven stadiums built for soccer; and I’ve seen tremendous growth on so many levels.  As a result, we now have an established league that players from all countries can aspire to be a part of.

I want to thank all of my teammates, past and present; the Dallas soccer fans; and all the behind the scenes personnel. I especially want to thank my wife and my family for their support throughout my career and for helping me with the difficult decision to move on. While the competitor in me is still fierce, it is now time to turn my efforts towards winning in a different capacity.  Thank you again for an amazing 10 years!”

Sincerely,

Bobby Rhine

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