Agence France Presse

Port of Spain, February 8:

As the United States prepared to launch its final push to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, veteran goalkeeper Brad Friedel announced his retirement from international football.

The 33-year-old was a key figure in the American’s quarter-final finish at the 2002 World Cup.

But as the Americans prepared to take on Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday, when the final round of CONCACAF 2006 WC qualifying begins, Friedel, who plays for English Premiership Blackburn Rovers, said he was stepping down.

“I have loved every minute of it, but feel now is the right time to end my international career,” Friedel said. “Throughout my career I have been extremely lucky not to have suffered any major injuries. However over the last 18 months or so I have sometimes been left feeling short of full fitness because of the strain of playing for my club and my country and the huge amount of long haul travel involved,” he said.

“The English Premier League is incredibly demanding and over the remaining years of my professional career I want to give myself the best possible chance to continue to play at the highest level for my club.”

Friedel participated in two World Cups, including France ‘98, and was an unused reserve in 1994. He also performed at the 1992 and 2000 Summer Olympics. He has performed in 82 international matches.

“He feels he’s done all he wants at the international level,” US coach Bruce Arena said. “He’s towards the end of his career. He wants to spend more time with his family, his business, his club. I think that’s an appropriate decision.”