The former Impact and Toronto FC goalkeeper takes us back through his club and international career
The end of the Montreal Impact season in late October also marked the end of a career for a former Canadian international. On October 29, goalkeeper Greg Sutton officially announced his retirement at the age of 35.
"You know it's funny. At the beginning of the season, I felt that I could probably play a couple more years," Sutton said."Physically and mentally I felt great."
His opinion changed as the months went by.
"As the season wore on, I kind of lost my way a little bit mentally and I started to lose a little bit of the passion for it," he said. "I've always said to myself that once I lose that passion and desire to be out there every day, it's probably time to think about moving on. That decision was made towards the end of the season. I'm ready for the new challenges that I face in my next chapter of my life. I'm looking forward to it."
Sutton is hanging up the boots after 14 years as a professional footballer. After being drafted by the Chicago Fire in the 1999 MLS College Draft, the Hamilton, Ontario native went on to represent the Montreal Impact (USL), Toronto FC and the New York Red Bulls before returning to Montreal (MLS) to finish off his career.
He made his first professional MLS appearance on June 19, 1999 when the Fire hosted the San Jose Clash at Soldier Field. Sutton came on as a substitute in the 24th minute and helped back stop Chicago to a 2-0 win.
"It was actually a funny experience," he recalled. "My father had flown into town because it was father's day weekend believe it or not. The starting goalie got ejected from the game, so I had to step in around the 30th minute I believe. That was my first MLS season and my first game. Lucky enough, my father was there to experience it. So, that was a fun experience and something I will always remember."
Following his experience in Chicago, Sutton found himself back in Canada for the first time in a few years. From 2001-2006, he was the starting goalkeeper for the Montreal Impact (USL). With the Impact, Sutton collected numerous individual awards including USL 'Goalkeeper of the Year' for four years in a row starting in 2003. He was named the league's MVP in 2004 following Montreal's USL championship win in the same year. Sutton also collected five Voyageurs Cups in the Impact kit.
The 2004 USL championship victory was Sutton's first and only major team award. This was one of his best memories throughout his career.
"That's something I'll always remember. It was great to do it in Montreal," he said. "We had good support at the time. The stadium was packed that whole year. To be able to play in our back yard in championship game was something really special and to be able to win was really cool."
In 2007, Sutton left the Impact to join Toronto FC in their inaugural season in Major League Soccer. Sutton said being part of TFC's expansion was one of the most unique moments of his career. This was largely because Toronto was Canada's first MLS franchise, but more importantly, it gave him the chance of playing near home in Hamilton.
In the same season, a serious head injury, while on duty with the Canadian National Team at the Gold Cup, forced Sutton to miss the remainder of the season. He was sidelined a total of six months.
Sutton donned the Canadian National Team kit from 2004 to 2009. He made 16 appearances for his country, his first being on January 18, 2004 in a one-nil win against Barbados. Sutton was included in three of Canada's Gold Cup squads.
"All the World Cup Qualifiers are something I'll always remember, as those games were so important and exciting," he said looking back on his international career. "The Gold Cups were always fun events in which we've had success in the past. Having the opportunity to put on the shirt for my country was a good experience."
Between 2010 and 2011, Sutton represented the New York Red Bulls. He made a total of 13 appearances in the two years he was there. Ten of those appearances came in 2011.
Still in 2011, the Red Bulls decided to loan Sutton back to Montreal for the remainder of the summer.
"I think all along it was in hopes that I would be able rejoin the team in 2012. That's kind of the reason I accepted to come up here in 2011 to finish the year off," he explained. "And again, because I had such a great experience in Montreal already, to have the opportunity to be part of the expansion team in 2012 was something that was appealing to me. It all worked out, so that was great."
Rejoining the Impact for a second time around, Sutton's role within the squad changed. The now veteran goalkeeper had a leadership role. For some of the players going through an expansion season for the first time, Sutton was able to guide them after already experiencing it with Toronto. Sutton noticed some similarities between Montreal and Toronto's expansion seasons.
This past season, Sutton was the third choice keeper for the Impact and only made one appearance. Similar to his first professional debut, Sutton came on as a substitute in the 66th minute. He allowed one goal in Montreal's 3-2 defeat to the Colorado Rapids.
In the final week of the season, Sutton requested to be left off the game sheet against the New England Revolution, thus putting an end to professional playing career.
Looking back, there are a few memories that stand out in the Canadian keeper's career. Some of his favourites included the 2004 USL championship, Toronto FC's expansion and representing Canada. However, his best memories involve the relationships he's built along the way.
"It's the relationships I've gained from playing over the years, including playing with a bunch of different players from around the world and North America," he said."Developing some great friendships out of that is something I'll always be able to take with me."
Although he won't be playing professionally anymore, Sutton confirmed he would not stray too far from the game. Coaching is a possibility for the former pro. This past fall, he joined the Concordia University Stingers men's soccer team as an assistant coach. The team is currently head coached by former Montreal Impact player, Lloyd Barker, a good friend of Sutton's.
"I'm always going to be involved in soccer," said Sutton. "Soccer has been so good to me and it would only be right for me to try and give back to the game. So whether it's coaching or what have you, there's going to be some tie into soccer."
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