US captain Claudio Reyna has called time on his international career after their World Cup exit and could soon be followed by striker Brian McBride and maybe even coach Bruce Arena.
''I'm probably done,'' Reyna told reporters after his team lost 2-1 to Ghana in their final Group E match. ''That's it.''
The curtain-call was bitter-sweet for Reyna, 32, who came off just before halftime after straining his left knee ligaments having lost possession in the lead-up to Ghana's first goal.
He then had to watch from the bench as the US slipped to defeat after a dubious penalty awarded against them deep into first-half stoppage time by German referee Markus Merk.
''I knew pretty much before [the tournament] that this would be the last World Cup for me,'' said the midfielder.
Reyna and goalkeeper Kasey Keller became the first Americans to feature in four World Cups when they played at these finals.
''For me, the right time [to retire] is now. The next World Cup is far away. I just wanted to play this as the last World Cup,'' he added.
Reyna's error gifted Ghana the lead as he received a back pass from Clint Dempsey and collided with Haminu Dramani who took the ball and raced into the US area to slot home.
Forward McBride, bidding to score in three consecutive finals, hinted that he too would retire from the national team and told reporters he would make an announcement soon.
Coach Bruce Arena is in his eighth year in charge of the national team and under contract to the US federation until December. He would not say if he would be stepping down.
''I have some other opportunities that I need to examine as well,'' he told reporters. ''But that's not important right now.'' Arena, the longest serving coach at the finals, plans to address the media at the US hotel in Hamburg on Friday.
Reyna's decision to step down, while not formally announced, comes as no surprise based on his history of injuries.
A veteran of four World Cups, Reyna did not see any action in 1994 but featured prominently in the other three tournaments.
In 2002, he helped lead the US to the quarter-finals.
Reyna, who was made national team captain in 1999, has won 112 caps and scored eight goals. He remains one of a handful of Americans players to have thrived in Europe.
In the past 12 years he has played for Bayer Leverkusen, Vfl Wolfsburg, Rangers and Sunderland before joining Manchester City in 2003.
