Switchbacks midfielder, Luke Vercollone, has officially announced his retirement from professional soccer on Monday, culminating an impressive 17-year playing career where he spent time with the New England Revolution (MLS), Charleston Battery (USL), Richmond Kickers (USL), and the Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL).



"Luke has done so much for this club, being my first player signed, the first captain of the team, and being a finalist for player of the year. He set the tone with his hard work and competitive nature and that continues to be part of our culture," said Switchbacks Head Coach, Steve Trittschuh. "We wish him the best and he will always be part of this organization."



The American midfielder arrived in Colorado Springs in 2014 as the first ever signing for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. Vercollone was also the first captain in club history, earning the nickname, "The Original Switchback". Vercollone became the first player to reach 100 games played in the USL during the Switchbacks 2015 season opener. Vercollone was named tot he 2015 First Team All-League team and was a finalist for the league MVP. Vercollone holds the club record for goals in a season (14), assists in a season (9) and holds the all-time goalscoring record (26) for the Switchbacks. Vercollone was named to the 2015 First Team All-League team and was a finalist for the league MVP.



"It is with gratitude and sentiment that I am announcing my retirement from pro soccer. While I do still have fuel in the tank, and I am not walking away on the ending I had hoped for, I know that I am called in a different direction," said Luke Vercollone. "I am extremely grateful to my family, the Switchbacks, the fans, the USL, all the other teams I've played for, especially the Kickers, and my teammates over the years. God has blessed me more than I could have imagined and allowed me to play this beautiful game for so long. While it is sad to hang up the boots, I am looking forward to the next chapter for me and my family."



Vercollone, 36, appeared in 25 games, totaling 1,422 minutes where he had four goals and two assists this season. He was named to the USL Team of the Week in week five and week eleven during the 2018 campaign.