Atlético Ottawa captain announces he is retiring after this season

Atlético Ottawa’s captain is saying goodbye to the game of soccer.

Carl Haworth is retiring at the end of the 2023 Canadian Premier League (CPL) season due to a “complicated, chronic knee injury.”

Thank you, Football pic.twitter.com/hP2OQ4Tl3o

— Carl Haworth (@ccaarrllitos) September 20, 2023

“This is a decision that has come about over time, dealing with an injury that isn’t able to get better,” said Haworth, the club Captain of Atlético Ottawa. “I’ve been managing it, but over time it’s become challenging, physically and mentally. Going into the season I thought this might be my last one, and making this announcement felt like the right thing to do as we head into our final home match of the regular season, and to get to share this moment with the soccer community in the city.”

Haworth has played 41 matches for Rojiblancos, including starting in last year’s CPL final,12 since joining ahead of the 2022 season.

He was officially named the team’s captain at the start of the 2023 season.

Before Atlético Ottawa, there was the Ottawa Fury Football Club (FC), which was preparing to make the move from the PDL to the pro ranks. Haworth signed his first professional contract with Fury in late 2013, then played in the NASL, and stayed with the club until it dissolved in 2019 after three seasons in the USL.

In his six seasons in Ottawa, the midfielder established club records across all competitions in appearances (169), goals scored (27), and assists (29). In his final season in the capital in 2019, one of his most productive in career despite moving to a lateral defender role, he tallied 10 goals, and nine assists in 33 league appearances, earning him the club’s Player of the Year award.

‘It felt like home right away’

Today @atletiOttawa‘s Carl Haworth announced he will be retiring at the end of the season. A look back at his career, and how he fell in love with the city he now calls home #CanPL | : @charliejclarke https://t.co/KmmKp82dC6 pic.twitter.com/ajSRdx5w7Q

— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) September 20, 2023

“As soon as I got to the city I knew it was a place I could call home,” he added. “The members of the soccer community and the people in Ottawa are incredible. I met my wife here, I’ve bought a home here and I recently had my first baby here just last month, it’s definitely going to be the place I call home long after the end of this season. Staying involved in the soccer community, and giving back, is a really big part of why I do this. The game has given us so much and it’s important to give back. I hope I was a good role model, and set a good image of what it means to be a good person, a good leader, and a good professional.”

Haworth’s contributions extended well beyond the field, as he worked with the local youth soccer club the Gloucester Hornets and he has been an advocate for the LGBTQ2S+ community, raising money for Athlete Ally.

“We are deeply grateful for Carl Haworth’s outstanding contributions to Atlético Ottawa in the last two seasons, as well as to the professional soccer landscape in Ottawa throughout his career,” said Fernando López, Atlético Ottawa’s chief executive officer CEO. “As our club captain, Carl has been a true leader on and off the field, embodying the values and spirit of our organization. His dedication and passion for the game have left an indelible mark on our club, our fans, and the Canadian soccer community. While we are saddened by his decision to retire, we fully support Carl and his growing family in this new chapter of his life, and we look forward to celebrating his career and achievements in the weeks to come. Carl will always be a part of the Atlético Ottawa family, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of players.”

Atlético Ottawa plays its final home game of the season at TD Place on Sunday, Sept. 24.

Abou Sacko is all of us when we found out Carl Haworth was retiring

Come say “Thank You Carl” at our final regular season home match @tdplace

Tickets: https://t.co/Aym5gIyb6J#ForOttawa | #PourOttawa pic.twitter.com/Cvt4K4JlqG

— Atlético Ottawa (@atletiOttawa) September 20, 2023