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MLS great Kei Kamara retires from soccer at age 41

By Thomson Reuters May 5, 2026 | 12:42 PM

Legendary MLS striker Kei Kamara has announced his retirement from professional soccer at the age of 41.

Kamar, ​ranked No. 2 in league history ‌with 147 regular-season goals, announced his decision on social media.

“I never played for just one crest,” he said in a video posted Monday ‌on ​X. “I played for the ⁠love of the ⁠game.”

Kamara’s MLS career spanned 20 years with a league-record 12 teams. His 464 regular-season matches are tied for third behind ​Kyle Beckerman (498) and Dax McCarty (488). Only Chris Wondolowski (171) scored more goals.

The Sierra ⁠Leone native entered the ⁠league in 2006 as a ​first-round pick by the Columbus Crew and ​has also played for the Chicago Fire, ‌Colorado Rapids, Houston Dynamo, Los Angeles FC, Minnesota United, CF Montreal, New England Revolution, San Jose Earthquakes, Sporting Kansas ⁠City, Vancouver Whitecaps and most recently, FC Cincinnati in 2025.

“From Sierra Leone to America, 20 years ⁠of ‌chasing something bigger,” Kamara said. “Goals ⁠fade, records fade. But what you ​carry ‌forward, that stays.”

Kamara was an ​MLS All-Star ⁠in 2015 and 2023 and made the MLS Best XI in 2015. He won the U.S. Open Cup with Sporting KC in 2012 and LAFC in 2024.

–Field ​Level Media