Steve Cherundolo was an institution at Hannover 96. And now he's being sent off with a testimonial.
Hannover announced that they would have a testimonial for the American on August 10, featuring the 96 All-Stars against the Hannover All-Stars. Cherundolo will play for both teams in the 40-minute match, switching over at halftime.
Cherundolo played at Hannover for 15 seasons, going straight to the German club after one year at the University of Portland. Hannover were in the 2.Bundesliga at the time and Cherundolo immediately played himself into the first team. He later helped the team earn promotion to the top flight and in 2010, was named the club's captain. He was such a central figure at the club and at the city that he was nicknamed the "Mayor of Hannover."
While Cherundolo was playing his club ball in Germany, he was also starring for the United States. He made 87 caps between 1999 and 2012, and was the Americans' starting right back almost every time he was fit. Fitness did prove to be an issue for Chrundolo as injuries plagued him and this March, they cost him his career. The 35-year-old couldn't make it back from a knee injury and called it quits.
Cherundolo is still with Hannover, serving as a youth team coach. He is one of America's most accomplished European players, and on August 10, he will get one final day in the sun as he says goodbye to the fans that cheered him on for 15 years, and the fans say goodbye to him. Nobody deserves it more.