VANCOUVER -- His career was built on making the right choices so its no surprise Jay DeMerit knew the time had come to walk away from playing professional soccer. Gary Barnidge Womens Jersey . DeMerit, the first player signed by the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps in 2010 and the Major League Soccer teams first captain, officially announced his retirement Thursday. "When it makes sense, when its right, its not sad," the amiable DeMerit said during a news conference. "Its not something I am going to regret. "Its something I am very proud of." Being convinced he made the right decision didnt stop DeMerit from battling back tears at one point. He will continue to work with the Whitecaps as an ambassador but has other business interests in Vancouver. "I am excited for the future," he said. "By no means is this the end." Known for strong defensive and leadership skills, the centre back had a goal and one assist in 71 career games -- 69 of which he started -- with the Whitecaps. He logged a total of 5,928 minutes during his MLS career. DeMerit spent six seasons with English club Watford FC before joining the Whitecaps. The 34-year-old American also appeared in 25 games with the U.S. national squad, starting four matches at the 2010 World Cup. Two injuries in a 15-month span hobbled DeMerit. In 2013, he missed most of the year with a torn Achilles tendon suffered in the season opener against Toronto FC. Last month, he tore a tendon in his left ankle in a 3-3 draw with the Philadelphia Union. "I knew I was up against it," DeMerit said. It was one day last week while watching the team practise that DeMerit began to question if he could return. "Watching the guys play it just kind of dawned on me I think these days are over," he said. "I looked down and saw an ankle with one real tendon. "I didnt think I had it in me anymore." Later that day while sitting on a Vancouver beach, DeMerit decided to call it a career. "I sat down on a log," he said. "At that exact second, after no other thought, I decided I was going to retire." In a letter to fans posted on the Whitecaps website, DeMerit said if he continued to play he risked damaging the reputation he spent years building. "Ive always been the kind of player who wears his heart on his sleeve and its that heart thats telling me its time to stop," he said. "If I cant be the player that I have always been, and play to a standard that I believe is high enough, then its time for me to smile, say thank you and give my commitment to a new cause." Vancouver president Bob Lenarduzzi said DeMerits charm and charisma off the field played an important role in helping to raise soccers profile in a market dominated by hockey and football. "Jay gets the big picture," said Lenarduzzi. "He gets that in North America we are selling the sport." DeMerit has made over 120 appearances on behalf of the Whitecaps. "His willingness to participate in virtually any request we put in front of him has helped to strengthen our brand in the market place," said Lenarduzzi. Coach Carl Robinson said DeMerits competitive spirit helped mould the team. "Hes a sore loser," said Robinson. "Hes a pain in the backside sometimes when it comes to training because he wants to win so much. "He leads by example. Young players knew what was expected of them. If they stepped out of line, or didnt do the job properly, he would tell them." DeMerit played college soccer at the University of Illinois-Chicago but was overlooked by pro scouts. He travelled to London with $1,200 in his pocket to pursue a soccer career. In his letter he talked about being broke, "sharing bath water" with a friend and playing games with "nothing but a couple of cows and five people in the stands." Eventually DeMerit would score the goal that sent Watford to the Premiership. He played in an FA Cup semifinal against Manchester United and a League Cup semifinal against Liverpool. He also played on the MLS all-star team that beat Chelsea. In Vancouver he helped the Whitecaps become the first Canadian team to reach the MLS playoffs. The chance to be part of a new franchise appealed to DeMerit. "I thought it was an amazing opportunity to be part of a blank canvas," he said. "Vancouver gave me that opportunity." Playing in Vancouver also allowed DeMerit to meet his future wife, Olympic gold medallist skier Ashleigh McIvor. The couple were married last summer. In his letter, DeMerit talked about what soccer gave him. "I got to travel around the world, grace a few magazines and billboards, and got to see the soccer community come together and raise money to make a movie about my life," he said. "I got to talk about my beloved Green Bay Packers with Elton John while in my underwear and drink beers with Bill Clinton. "I got to meet other amazing athletes and even got to marry the most beautiful Olympic gold medallist on the planet." With one chapter of his life finished, DeMerit is anxious to see what the future holds. "This isnt a career ender," he said. "Its a life starter." Danny Shelton Youth Jersey . Winning more at home probably should be on the list. The Flames look to avoid a fifth defeat in six home games by winning a sixth straight meeting with the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. Isaiah Crowell Browns Jersey . The San Antonio Spurs handled the conditions, and the team, and it sure helped when a suffering LeBron James couldnt make it to the finish.DENVER -- Veteran catcher Yorvit Torrealba typically helps to get his pitchers through tough innings with timely talks on the mound or some smart pitch selection. He took a different route this time, calling on his legs, glove and instincts. Torrealba completed a remarkable double play by tagging out two runners, Jorge De La Rose pitched seven solid innings and the Colorado Rockies hung on to beat the San Diego Padres 4-2 Wednesday. "I owe him a dinner, I think," De La Rosa said of Torrealba and his defensive gem. "It was a huge play. We won the game on that play." Corey Dickerson doubled twice, tripled and drove in two runs. Troy Tulowitzki had two hits and a pair of RBIs as Colorado completed a 5-1 homestand on the heels of a 1-9 road trip. De La Rosa (12-6) allowed two runs on eight hits in running his record in eight day-game starts this season to 6-0 with a 1.57 ERA. He struck out six and walked one. Rex Brothers pitched a scoreless ninth for his 12th save. Andrew Cashner (8-7) gave up three runs on six hits in seven innings. He struck out seven and walked none. De La Rosa was labouring to hold a one-run lead in the sixth after giving up a leadoff single to Jedd Gyorko, throwing a wild pitch and surrendering a single to Jesus Guzman, putting runners at first and third with none out. Logan Forsythe hit a grounder to third and Gyorko broke for home. Third baseman Nolan Arenado threw the ball home to Torrealba, who chased Gyorko back toward third. As the two neared the bag, Torrealba managed to tag Gyorko on his back. Torrealba then spotted Guzman barrelling for third, made a dive in front of the sliding runner and tagged him out an instant before he reached the base. "I guess it was the play of the game but it was just reaction," said Torrealba, who made the spot start in place of regular catcher Wilin Rosario (hamstring). "I really dont even know how I did it, to be honest with you." Gyorko knows all too well how it happened. &quuot;I got in a rundown and Torrealba made a pretty good play to get both of us," Gyorko said. Christian Kirksey Jersey. "He ran that to perfection. I tried to stay in the rundown a little longer to give guys a chance to move up. Thats the right play, it just didnt work out." Rockies manager Walt Weiss said Torrealbas heady play exemplifies the way he plays the game. "He gets pitchers through tough innings," Weiss said. "He brings a lot of positive energy every day. Hes one of those guys who doesnt have to light up the box score to help his team win." De La Rosa completed the escape from the inning by getting Ronny Cedeno to ground out. Colorado added an insurance run in the eighth on Dickersons RBI double. The Rockies went up 3-1 with a pair of runs in the third. Dexter Fowler led the inning off with a single and one later, Dickerson tripled off the wall in the centre. Tulowitzki followed with a single for his second RBI of the game. San Diego closed to within a run in the fourth when Gyorko doubled with two outs and Guzman followed with an RBI single. Colorado went in front 1-0 in the first on consecutive two-out doubles by Dickerson and Tulowitzki. Forsythe had a bead on Tulowitzkis deep drive to left field but the ball was knocked loose from his glove when he crashed against the wall. The Padres evened the score on Chris Denorfias RBI single in the third. NOTES: San Diegos Will Venable beat out an infield single in the fifth to extend his hitting streak to 11 games, a career high. ... The Padres return to San Diego to begin a 10-game homestand, their longest of the season. RHP Tyson Ross (3-5) is set to pitch the opener Thursday of a four-game set against RHP Zack Wheeler and the New York Mets. ... The Rockies head to Baltimore, where theyll open a 10-game road trip on Friday with RHP Juan Nicasio (6-6) going for Colorado against Orioles LHP Wei-Yin Chen. ... Rockies C Wilin Rosario was out of the lineup a day after tweaking a hamstring. 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