McTavish retires from pro soccer

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Winchester native Devon McTavish announced his retirement from professional soccer Thursday in a news release from the D.C. United.

"I feel good [about the decision]," McTavish said in a team news release. "I have to take care of my body, and after talking to a doctor I have taken his advice. I thought long and hard about it and just decided that it's time to quit playing the game -- mostly for health reasons."

The James Wood graduate played for six seasons with D.C. United.

McTavish was sidelined most of the 2011 MLS season after suffering a concussion in a preseason friendly against Florida International University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The defender joined the United in 2006 after playing four years at West Virginia University. He played in 83 matches for the United, including 69 starts. McTavish had one goal and four assists against MLS competition.

He helped the United claim the 2006 and 2007 Supporters' Shields and the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

McTavish played a big role in the team's 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, as he scored three goals in the first two matches of the competition.

Off the field, McTavish has done a lot in the D.C. area. He is a constant contributor to "United for D.C." -- the United's charitable arm -- he was named the club's MLS W.OR.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year in 2010. He was also featured by Washingtonian magazine as one of the 2010 Washingtonians of the Year.

McTavish, 27, said he's looking forward to doing something different.

"[The transition to a different line of work] will be scary, but at the same time I'm looking at it as a wonderful opportunity to try to see what else I can do out there," he said. "I was extremely lucky to be able to play six years of professional soccer. I don't know what lies ahead for me in terms of the next professional career, but I'm excited to see what else is out there and to see what else I may be good at."