A Look Back at Dax McCarty's Storied Major League Soccer Career ... So Far 

The veteran leader in the midfield. 

On July 1, 2006, Dax McCarty made his Major League Soccer debut with FC Dallas. Now, he is one of the league’s most experienced players after making his 400th appearance Sunday against D.C. United.

McCarty was drafted by Dallas as the sixth overall pick in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. He made two appearances his rookie season and became a regular for Dallas in 2007, scoring his first career MLS goal against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

After spending nearly four seasons in MLS, McCarty made his senior United States Men’s National Team debut on Nov. 14, 2009 against Slovakia. Since, he has made 13 appearances with the U.S. Men’s National Team and captained the squad against Chile on Jan. 22, 2011. 

McCarty joined D.C. United in 2011 before being sent to the New York Red Bulls, where he spent six seasons. In 2013, he won his first MLS Supporters’ Shield with the Red Bulls, finishing with 59 points on the season.

Just two seasons later, McCarty was named to his first MLS All-Star team in 2015, where he joined the team that defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.

Following his first All Star selection, McCarty again lifted the Supporters’ Shield for the Red Bulls later in 2015 and was named to the 2015 MLS Best XI.

McCarty spent one more season with the Red Bulls before being traded to the Chicago Fire. 

In the middle of his first season with Chicago, McCarty left for international duty and won the 2017 Gold Cup with the USMNT, defeating Jamaica 2-1 in the final.

Shortly after winning the Gold Cup, McCarty returned to the MLS All-Star game in Chicago, this time against Real Madrid where the All-Stars fell in penalties.

While in Chicago, McCarty celebrated another career milestone, recording his 300th appearance in MLS.

McCarty spent three seasons with the Chicago Fire before being traded to Nashville SC ahead of the club’s first season in MLS.

In McCarty’s first season with Nashville, he led the team to a playoff appearance and helped form the best defensive season for an MLS expansion side in league history. While holding down the midfield, McCarty also got forward in attack to score a goal in Nashville’s Audi MLS Cup Playoff match against Inter Miami CF.

After his appearance against D.C. United, McCarty moved to sixth overall and fourth among outfield players in total MLS appearances. McCarty is the only active player in MLS with 400 appearances as of August 16, 2021. McCarty joins Nick Rimando, Kyle Beckerman, Jeff Larentowicz, Kevin Hartman and Chad Marshall in the 400-games club. He’ll be back in action for game 401 against Orlando City SC on Wednesday, August 18.

Dax McCarty will look to be back in action for game 401 against Orlando City SC on Wednesday, August 18 at Nissan Stadium. Tickets are available here.