With two months left in the 15th season of a professional soccer career that has featured four championships and countless individual accolades, Wave forward / captain Michael King has called it quits.

King announced his retirement -- effective at the end of this season -- during a press conference Thursday afternoon at the Milwaukee Athletic Club.

"We've got a number of young guys on the team," King said about the timing of his decision. "When one of the guys came up to me and mentioned that his father is two years younger then me, I thought it was time I should think about retiring.

"Quite simply, it's just time to move on."

King began his career with the Cleveland Force in 1986 and returned to northern Ohio after a one-season stint in Dallas for three more years with the Cleveland Crunch.
In 1992-'93, King played for the Baltimore Spirit.

The 44-year-old forward came to Milwaukee in 1993 and has since claimed the top spot in just about every offensive category in franchise history. He led the Wave to championships in 1998, 2000, 2001 and most recently, in 2005.

The Wave hopes to add a fifth championship to King's legacy this season.

"Michael King has been such a mainstay on and off the field for the Milwaukee Wave for the past 15 years," said Wave coach Keith Tozer, head coach and director of soccer operations for the Wave.

"This decision was very difficult for all the parties involved. We still have a lot of soccer to play this season, and we look forward to having Michael contribute on and off the field as we strive for our fifth championship."

King said he discussed the possibility of returning as a coach next season, but is focusing now on finishing the season on a championship note.

King, the Wave's captain since his arrival, said he came to the realization that he was getting to the point where he could fill only the roles of coach or cheerleader, none of which were particularly appealing.

"To be quite honest, I never worn a suit on the bench and I don't look good in a short skirt and pom-pons," King said.

The Wave has made the playoffs in each of King's 14 seasons in Milwaukee.