Monday, March 23, 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

    Canadian Women Go Unbeaten On Day 1 Of World Sevens Series Rugby Event

    Canadian Women Go Unbeaten On Day 1 Of World Sevens Series Rugby Event
    LANGFORD, B.C. — Ahead of its first tournament at home, the Canadian women's sevens rugby team tried to stay true to its routine on the road.

    Canadian Women Go Unbeaten On Day 1 Of World Sevens Series Rugby Event

    Flames Fall In Game 2, Return Home To Start Best-of-five Series Against Canucks

    Flames Fall In Game 2, Return Home To Start Best-of-five Series Against Canucks
    VANCOUVER — The Calgary Flames are heading home battered and bruised, but feeling positive about splitting the first two games of their Western Conference quarter-final with Vancouver.

    Flames Fall In Game 2, Return Home To Start Best-of-five Series Against Canucks

    Whitecaps Looking For First-ever Road Win Against Real Salt Lake

    VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps hope to find a new midfield maestro when they visit Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

    Whitecaps Looking For First-ever Road Win Against Real Salt Lake

    Canucks Head Coach Says He'll Continue Using Four Lines Against Flames

    Canucks Head Coach Says He'll Continue Using Four Lines Against Flames
    Vancouver Canucks head coach Willie Desjardins rolled four lines for much of the regular season and he doesn't plan on changing that philosophy in the playoffs.

    Canucks Head Coach Says He'll Continue Using Four Lines Against Flames

    John Moonlight, Ashley Steacy Win Rugby Canada Sevens Player Awards

    John Moonlight, Ashley Steacy Win Rugby Canada Sevens Player Awards
    VICTORIA — John Moonlight was named Rugby Canada's male sevens player of the year for a third time Thursday night.

    John Moonlight, Ashley Steacy Win Rugby Canada Sevens Player Awards

    Rugby Veteran Ashley Steacy Hopes To Make 2016 Olympics A Family Affair

    Rugby Veteran Ashley Steacy Hopes To Make 2016 Olympics A Family Affair
    VICTORIA — Canadian rugby sevens veteran Ashley Steacy hopes to make the 2016 Olympics a family affair, joining her hammer-throwing brother-in-law and sister-in-law at the Rio Games.

    Rugby Veteran Ashley Steacy Hopes To Make 2016 Olympics A Family Affair