Pat Noonan retires, joins Galaxy's coaching staff

(AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

CARSON, Calif. (AP) Major League Soccer veteran Pat Noonan has retired as a player to join the Los Angeles Galaxy's coaching staff.

The two-time defending MLS champions announced the move Friday.

Noonan appeared in 10 games last season with the Galaxy, his fifth MLS team in the past decade. Noonan's teams reached the MLS Cup final five times, winning titles with Columbus in 2008 and again with the Galaxy last fall.

The 32-year-old forward had 42 goals and 33 assists in 183 MLS games, spending his first five seasons with New England before playing briefly in Norway. He played for Columbus, Colorado, Seattle and Los Angeles over the past five years.

Noonan also made 14 appearances for the U.S. national team, usually playing under Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena.

Updated January 11, 2013