Austin Berry announces end of playing career

Former Chicago Fire defender and MLS Rookie of the Year Austin Berry announced his retirement on Monday.

Berry will remain in the football world, though, as he has accepted a technical staff position with FC Cincinnati, according to a statement from the club.

The Louisville product began his professional career in 2012, when he was selected ninth overall by Chicago in the MLS SuperDraft. Berry made his debut for the Fire in May of that season, scoring a goal in Chicago’s 2-1 victory over now-defunct Chivas USA.

In 2012, Berry would start 28 games, score 3 goals, and eventually earn the honors of MLS Rookie of the Year — the third Fire player to win the award.

The defender would stay on with Chicago through the 2013 season, starting in 62 consecutive games for the Men in Red.

Ahead of the 2014 season, Berry was traded to Philadelphia. Following a series of injuries and a loan spell with Korean side FC Anyang, the one-time MLS player would sign with FC Cincinnati of the USL in 2016.

He spent the last two seasons co-captaining the Orange and Blue, and started in the US Open Cup classic between Chicago and Cincinnati last season.