Sunday, March 22, 2026
ADVT 
Sports

Whitecaps Striker And Former Welsh International Robert Earnshaw Retires

The Canadian Press, 28 Jan, 2016 11:54 AM
    Vancouver Whitecaps striker Robert Earnshaw announced his retirement on Thursday.
     
    The former Welsh international played 18 professional seasons, scoring 220 goals in 520 games for clubs in England, Scotland, Israel, Canada and the United States.
     
    Earnshaw added 16 goals in 59 appearances for Wales and is the only player to record a hat trick in every professional league in England, including the FA Cup and League Cup, and for his country.
     
    The 34-year-old will remain in Vancouver as the head coach Whitecaps' under-14 team, and as the club's strikers coach.
     
    "I'm excited and ready to move on to the next stage of my life," Earnshaw said in a release. "It was important for me to retire as a player on my own terms and the opportunity to join Vancouver's coaching staff solidified my decision."
     
    Earnshaw spent one season with the Whitecaps after signing as a free agent last March and scored a 90th-minute winner in his debut against the Portland Timbers just three days later.
     
    But he was a fringe player for most of the campaign and didn't score again until the finale against the Houston Dynamo.
     
    "I had the pleasure of playing with (Earnshaw) at both the club and country level and last year as his coach," said Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson. "He was a model player throughout his career."
     
    He finishes his Major League Soccer career with 13 goals in 41 appearances with Toronto, Chicago and Vancouver.
     
    Born in Zambia, Earnshaw moved to Wales when he was nine and scored against Germany in his senior national team debut in May 2002.
     
    "Football has been a big part of my life since I can remember," he added. "It's been an honour to play for a living and I am fortunate to be able to continue in the sport that I love."

    MORE Sports ARTICLES

    Canucks Re-Sign Goaltender Jacob Markstrom, Forward Linden Vey

    Canucks Re-Sign Goaltender Jacob Markstrom, Forward Linden Vey
    VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks re-signed goaltender Jacob Markstrom and forward Linden Vey on Monday.

    Canucks Re-Sign Goaltender Jacob Markstrom, Forward Linden Vey

    Dhoni, Virat Kohli Rested, Ajinkya Rahane To Captain India On Zimbabwe Tour

    Dhoni, Virat Kohli Rested, Ajinkya Rahane To Captain India On Zimbabwe Tour
    Middle order batsman Ajinkya Rahane was on Monday named captain of the 15-member Indian cricket team that will tour Zimbabwe in July as Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, among other seniors, were rested.

    Dhoni, Virat Kohli Rested, Ajinkya Rahane To Captain India On Zimbabwe Tour

    Lauren Sesselmann's 'Nightmare' Error Costly In Canada's Women's World Cup Exit

    Lauren Sesselmann's 'Nightmare' Error Costly In Canada's Women's World Cup Exit
    VANCOUVER — Lauren Sesselmann collected a pass from a teammate early in the first half on Saturday, a play the Canadian defender has made countless times.

    Lauren Sesselmann's 'Nightmare' Error Costly In Canada's Women's World Cup Exit

    Canadian Women Feel The Pain Of World Cup Exit But Look To Future With Hope

    Canadian Women Feel The Pain Of World Cup Exit But Look To Future With Hope
    Captain Christine Sinclair, who had strapped the team on her back and tried to carry it to the final four, was in tears as she needlessly apologized to coach John Herdman following Canada's 2-1 quarter-final loss to England.

    Canadian Women Feel The Pain Of World Cup Exit But Look To Future With Hope

    Canadians Pay Tribute To Women's Soccer Team Following World Cup Exit

    Canadians Pay Tribute To Women's Soccer Team Following World Cup Exit
    VANCOUVER — From Prime Minister Stephen Harper to actor Ryan Reynolds, Canadians showed their support for their women's soccer team in the wake of its quarter-final exit from the Women's World Cup.

    Canadians Pay Tribute To Women's Soccer Team Following World Cup Exit

    FOX Says US-China Women's World Cup Match Drew 5.7 Million Viewers

    FOX Says US-China Women's World Cup Match Drew 5.7 Million Viewers
    The second-ranked U.S. women beat China 1-0 on Friday night to advance to a semifinal match against top-ranked Germany on Tuesday night.

    FOX Says US-China Women's World Cup Match Drew 5.7 Million Viewers