University of Portland alum and former Pilot defender Steve Cherundolo announced that he is ending his career immediately because of persistent knee problems. Cherundolo, 35, was a mainstay in defense for the U.S. in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cup's and has been club-captain at Hannover after a glittering 15-year career in Germany.
 
Cherundolo will remain with the club as assistant coach for Hannover's under-23 team.
 
"Steve has had an unbelievable career and it's unfortunate that he won't be able to play in his fourth World Cup this summer," Portland Director of Soccer and Cherundolo's former coach Bill Irwin said. "He will make a great coach and I know that the coaching aspect of his career will be just as successful as his playing career."
 
Cherundolo, who has earned 87 caps for the U.S. men's national team since making his debut vs. Jamaica in 1999, had been sidelined for much of the 2013-14 season following multiple knee surgeries. A comeback last December featured just two appearances.
 
The native of San Diego, Calif., is a veteran of three World Cups and played every minute of the United States' four games in South Africa in 2010. He spent all of his professional career in Germany with Hannover, following his collegiate career at the University of Portland.
 
His last appearance for the national team came in a 3-1 World Cup qualifying win vs. Guatemala in October 2012.