Pope retires from international stage

HARTFORD, Connecticut, Aug 3 (Reuters) US defender Eddie Pope called time on his international career today.

''After having the opportunity to play in my third World Cup and taking some time to reflect with my family, I felt like it was the right moment to say goodbye to the national team,'' Pope said in a statement.

Pope, 32, is the third American to retire from the international stage since the US failed to progress to the knockout stage at the World Cup.

Captain Claudio Reyna and striker Brian McBride have also bowed out.

Pope was a regular fixture in the centre of the US defence and was on the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cup squads.

He appeared in 82 games and scored eight goals for the US since winning his first cap against Trinidad and Tobago in a 1996 World Cup qualifier.

''Eddie Pope is arguably the finest defender this country has ever produced,'' said former US coach Bruce Arena.

''Eddie has always let his play do the talking, serving as a role model for a generation of defenders.'' Pope has featured in Major League Soccer for 11 years and won three league championships with D.C. United. He moved to MetroStars in 2003 before joining Real Salt Lake in 2005.

REUTERS VJ RK0110