Wow, very sad to see such a young player retire so early.

Darn it Bolivian, I was busting my tuckus to become part of the highly regarded 1st posters club. But you had to go and steal 1st post from me, didn't ya?

Oh yeah, Alex Yi, sad, sad, sad, man. Here's hoping his next venture in life is a greater success.

Dang, it was just two seasons ago that I was impressed by him when FCD came to RFK. Best of luck Alex, be proud of what you accomplished!

The slowest, shortest and least athletic backline in MLS just lost their fastest, tallest and most athletic player. Good luck to him with the real world where they pay way more than the MLS minimum.

We hardly knew Yi.

I have always been impressed by Yi. I thought he was a very solid defender in an otherwise unstable back line. Too bad.

We hardly knew Yi.

Posted by: Bad Pun Time | April 8, 2008 10:01 PM

Awesome. Rep, if that was a thing here.

Yi and "Gooch" Onyewu played on the same club team (Potomac FC). It was an impressive defense.

He'll probably join the IT field in Dallas and triple his salary.

That's too bad about Yi. He going (back?) to school. I'm sure he'll be be heavily recruited by the intramural squads.

Yi and "Gooch" Onyewu played on the same club team (Potomac FC). It was an impressive defense.

He'll probably join the IT field in Dallas and triple his salary.

Posted by: Joe Doc | April 9, 2008 9:16 AM

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And a few years ago Yi and Gooch were both young american defenders trying out there luck in Belgium. Gooch has gone through some trials and tribulations on his way to where he is today.

Would Yi have found more motivation to try work through his recurring hamstring injuries if he was earning more than a $33K salary? Good luck in grad school.

Joe Doc, I played against Yi and Gooch for years. FC Potomac was always a tough team. Beckerman played for them for a bit too, if I remember correctly.

One thing I do remember is that Gooch and Yi were always pretty nice, in addition to being very good players.

That's too bad about Yi. He going (back?) to school. I'm sure he'll be be heavily recruited by the intramural squads.

Posted by: I-270, Exit 1 | April 9, 2008 9:46 AM
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It is a bit ironic that he would be ineligible for a varsity squad after turning pro, but not for an intramural squad.

Intramural and college soccer club teams aren't really that far below the level (or sometimes they are equal to the level) of what the varsity men's soccer program offers (depending on the school of course).

Anyway, I think Yi has some good sense to go to medical school. It worked for me.

"Meantime, Dallas is looking at left-side defender-midfielder Sheldon Emmanuel from St. Lucia."

Wow. Thank god we're not Dallas, searching the teeny islands in the Caribbean for backups. What's next? A forward from Montserrat? Not saying there's no talent whatsoever within those islands, but c'mon, ya gotta admit it's a needle in a haystack kind of thing.

Anyway, I think Yi has some good sense to go to medical school. It worked for me.

Posted by: Mike Fisher | April 9, 2008 2:46 PM
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No wonder we wait so long, all the docs are reading Soccer insider.

Joe Doc, I played against Yi and Gooch for years. FC Potomac was always a tough team. Beckerman played for them for a bit too, if I remember correctly.

One thing I do remember is that Gooch and Yi were always pretty nice, in addition to being very good players.

Posted by: bribri | April 9, 2008 10:33 AM

Hey Bribri,

What team did you play for? I coached the BRYC Warhawks during their early years, and the McLean Predators in their teens. The Potomac matches were always enjoyable.