Former Houston Dynamo forward Omar Cummings announced his retirement from professional soccer last night in a press release from FC Cincinnati, where he played for past two seasons.
He will play his final match Monday night in a friendly against Valencia, where he will be honored at halftime. The 35-year-old will move into a full-time front office role for FC Cincinnati, working with the youth academy and community initiatives.
Cummings was traded to the Dynamo from the Colorado Rapids prior to the 2013 season. While bitten by injuries in the regular season, his postseason contributions were invaluable. Cummings made five appearances and scored two goals as the Dynamo reached the Eastern Conference Final. Both goals came in the conference semifinals against top-seeded New York Red Bulls. His goal at BBVA Compass Stadium in the fifth minute of second half added time capped a two-goal comeback, then his 104th minute goal in the second leg clinched the series win for the Dynamo.
In 2014, Cummings played in 26 games and contributed three goals and three assists. Following his time with the Dynamo, Cummings played one season with San Antonio FC in the USL before signing with USL expansion side FC Cincinnati. He tallied four goals and five assists in 23 games over two years for FCC.
Cummings, a native of Bodles Crescent, Jamaica, began his American soccer career at Cincinnati State College before transferring to the University of Cincinnati. He was drafted in the third round of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft by the Colorado Rapids. Cummings blossomed with the Rapids, making 148 regular season appearances and scoring 39 goals. In 2009, he tied with Brad Davis for the MLS lead with 12 assists. In 2010, he scored a career-high 14 goals as Colorado won their first MLS Cup.
On the international stage, Cummings earned 35 caps for Jamaica and scored seven international goals.
