During an emotional one-day contract signing event, Houston Dynamo legend Brad Davis officially retired as a member of the club and thanked the fans as well as the city of Houston for his great professional run.
Davis is amongst the most decorated Dynamo members, hanging up his boots with several club MLS records; assists (104), game-winning assists (34), games played (271), games started (252), minutes played (21,768), shots (437), shots on goal (184), corner kicks (995).
The 35-year-old is thankful for all the clubs that gave him an opportunity to play, but he truly believes that Houston is where it all started.
“With the Houston team and fan base by my side, I have memories that others can only dream of. To name a few, winning the MLS Cup in 2006 and 2007, scoring the first goal here, BBVA Compass Stadium, also known as ‘The House That Ching Built’ – even though one day a wise man once told me he may have built it, but Brad you owned it – to starting my charity Banded Brigade, to the pinnacle of my playing career which was representing my club and country in the World Cup in 2014,” said Davis to the press.
The gifted left winger was an original squad member of the San Jose Earthquakes, when the franchise moved to Houston in 2006 and won the Dynamo’s first MLS Cup championship that same year.
“I think it would extremely hard-pressed to find a group, not just good soccer players, not just good people, but guys that just wanted to win, that had a commitment to the team. Someone is going to win every single year, but I don’t know if we are ever going to see a team like we had and I truly, really feel that way”.
Dynamo President Chris Canetti expressed how honored the club was to have such a major part of the team’s success retire as part of Dynamo franchise.
“We are here today to bring back a Dynamo legend, an icon in number 11, Brad Davis,” said Canetti at the press conference. “He holds more records for the club than I can actually go through without getting you too bored. But most importantly he’s played more games and more minutes than any other Dynamo player in history.”
Canetti also expressed that the Dynamo and Davis will remain committed to Banded Brigade Outdoors, a non-profit organization founded by Davis, which gives active duty and returning service men and women with opportunities to reintegrate to a civilian life by reconnecting them to with nature and each another.
Many familiar faces were seen at the retirement press conference held for Davis, among them was Brian Ching, who is Davis’ former teammate and close friend.
“You look at a lot of the big moments we have ever had here – Brad has been part of every single one,” said Ching.
Ching is currently the managing director of the Houston Dash, and had some advice for Davis about life as a retired MLS player.
“No matter how prepared you think you are for it, it is a difficult transition and I have talked to him about that and hopefully some he takes some advice and picks up the phone and calls some of the guys when he is missing the comradery”.
