New York Red Bulls defender Connor Lade announced his retirement after spending eight years with the senior team.
“If you told me, like I said when I was a kid, that I would be sitting here right now talking to you guys after eight years with my hometown team, I would’ve laughed in your face,” Connor Lade said in an interview with his former team, the New York Red Bulls.
Lade has done it. He went from an academy kid who was running around the New York Giants’ stadium on gameday–when they used to play there–to a man on the senior roster.
“No dream is too small,” he said.
Lade has done it and now it’s time to say goodbye. At only 29 years of age, the defender announced his retirement on Wednesday via the club’s website.
He played in 126 MLS games with the club, scoring two goals and won three Supporters’ Shield.
Lade’s last match with New York was on July 7 in the team’s 4-0 loss to Houston Dynamo. He missed the team’s last seventeen games of the season.
The club is now during their offseason after getting eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Philadelphia Union in a 4-3 deficit on Sunday.
The New Jersey native was a versatile player who could play right or left-back and also midfield.
Lade didn’t announce the apparent reason for his retirement. He was known to be a fighter on the pitch, which was undoubtedly admirable and will be missed at the Red Bull Arena.
Connor thank you for the heart ❤️ you put forth on the pitch ! Come visit AZ when you get a chance !
— Lou Dava ???? (@Lou_Dav77) October 23, 2019
Enjoy retirement! Thank you for grinding it out every season for us! #RBNY
— bluff and rayne @ eff doubleu ayyy (@bluffthehusky) October 23, 2019
The fullback started his career on a bright note in 2011, but over the years his performance dropped, and he was heavily criticized by the fans this season.
Nevertheless, he still played his heart out on the field. He wasn’t a star player but his love for the club ran deep.
Including his time with the academy, Lade spent 12 years with the Red Bulls.
