Bobby Rhine is everyman.
Bobby Rhine is Major League Soccer.Unfortunately, Bobby Rhine is retiring after Sunday’s regular-season finale.Rhine retires as one of only six players in 13 MLS seasons that played their entire career at the same club and played more than 200 matches. He played in 211 matches, second all-time for FC Dallas.The thing that makes Rhine’s career remarkable lies in his mature sense of self-awareness that many humans just can’t assess when looking inward."There’s always a guy with any team that’s always needed to fill out roles," Rhine said. "I’ve always been one of those guys and cherished and wanted that responsibility. Certainly every single player wants to be a starter and wants to be the top player on the team, but the reality was that was never going to be the case."Rhine never was a superstar, but sports history proves teams can’t be built solely on superstars.After all, Sunday’s opponent, the Los Angeles Galaxy, enjoys stars David Beckham and Landon Donovan, and yet the LA club — like FC Dallas — is a playoff corpse, already planning for next year.Rhine’s career is almost a cliché in that he survived as a professional due to all the attributes that seem like nothing more than coach-speak. Rhine’s work ethic, acceptance of his role and positive locker-room influence epitomize the athlete who makes it not on dynamic skill but on honest effort.Rhine could carry on for a few more seasons by bouncing around the country, especially with four teams joining the league in the next three years.But Rhine loves FC Dallas.His devotion to the colors breathes a passionate philosophy that is unmatched on his team.FC Dallas must find a role for Rhine, whether with former teammate Oscar Pareja coaching in the youth system or in some broadcast capacity.When Schellas Hyndman took over in midseason it became obvious Rhine didn’t fit into his philosophy. Hyndman still speaks well of Rhine."We have a lot of people come through the league that don’t last very long," Hyndman said. "They have all the talent in the world but don’t focus, either lifestyle issues or attitude. And Bobby’s come in and been a great warrior, a true MLS spokesperson. He’s a perfect example of everyone to look at and say if I want to play professional soccer, go down this road."Hyndman wouldn’t commit to whether he’d start Rhine in Sunday’s meaningless match.Let’s hope this is merely posturing by Hyndman as coaches often guard their kickoff alignment.Hyndman might or might not lead FC Dallas to the MLS Cup, but careers are also defined by a man’s integrity.If Hyndman doesn’t start Rhine, it raises serious character issues with the new coach.Now Rhine, well, after 10 years his character is proven.TOBIAS XAVIER LOPEZ, 817-685-3868
