CJ Sapong announced his retirement from professional soccer on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old striker ends a 14-year professional career which saw him play for six Major League Soccer clubs, making a total of 425 appearances, scoring 97 goals and adding 41 assists.
I cried in the shower this morning.
— CJ Sapong (@BigAfrika88) May 6, 2025
Not because I’m retiring from the game.
Not because I’ll miss scoring in front of thousands.
Not even because I’ll miss the locker room.
I cried because of what’s next. 🧵👇
The 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year spent two-and-a-half with Nashville SC, signing as a free agent ahead of the 2021 season. In Nashville, Sapong beat out Designated Players Jhonder Cádiz and Aké Loba for the starting No. 9 job. In 74 regular season appearances, Sapong scored 17 goals, forming a formidable partnership with Hany Mukhtar and contributing heavily to his 2022 MLS MVP-winning campaign.
Sapong was traded to Toronto FC midway through the 2023 campaign, and his option was declined at the end of the year. He spent the 2024 season as a free agent before officially retiring.
Sapong retires as Nashville SC's fourth-leading scorer all time, behind only Hany Mukhtar (80), Daniel Ríos (27) and Sam Surridge (26).
Additionally, Sapong won the 2012 US Open Cup and 2013 MLS Cup with Sporting Kansas City, earning four caps with the United States National Team.
