COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Tuesday, February 18, 2014) – The Colorado Rapids announced today that defender Kory Kindle has retired from professional soccer. Kindle was drafted 25th overall (second round) of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, and signed with the club on February 21, 2013. He played in seven reserve league matches last season.

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“We want to thank Kory for his contributions to the Rapids over the last year,” said Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo. “He was a positive influence in our locker room and we are sure that his dedication and hard work will help him as he moves into other careers. Everyone at the club wishes him well moving forward.”

“I will be forever grateful that I got the chance to be a part of the Colorado Rapids, in a locker room surrounded by amazing talent,” said Kindle. “This was not an easy decision to make, but after countless hours talking to my mom and friends about the decision, I made up my mind to leave MLS. I have always had dreams about becoming a physical therapist, and will now pursue that opportunity.”

Kindle, a left back from Ventura, Calif., played four years at California State University Bakersfield before joining the Rapids at the start of the 2013 season. He appeared in seven Rapids Reserve League matches, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in each match, before suffering a season-ending injury in September. He was training fully at the start of this year’s preseason before deciding to retire from the league.