Club Echa Panza

D.C. United’s Jaime Moreno, the MLS career scoring leader who has played in the league since its launch 14 years ago, will not return to the club next season, United President Kevin Payne confirmed Thursday.

Moreno, 36, will remain with the team the rest of the season and then either continue playing in his native Bolivia or retire and consider an offer to remain with the organization, probably coaching the youth program, Payne said.

“These things are never easy,” Payne said. “Before the season, we agreed to talk in the summer and decide on the future. We wanted this to come out now so other teams, if they so choose, can recognize him and so our fans can say goodbye. We didn’t think it would be appropriate after the season. He’s deserving of a longer thank you.”

The news did not come as a surprise. Moreno has started just five of 19 league matches and scored one goal in 688 minutes. United (3-13-3) is heading toward its worst season ever and seems certain of undergoing major changes this winter.

Overall, Moreno has 132 goals and 102 assists in 225 regular season appearances, and was part of four MLS Cup championship teams. All but one season was spent with United, the exception being 2003 when he was with New York.

Moreno posted on his Facebook account, “This is my second family. I have lots of friends here. I’ve made my life here and it’s a very difficult decision to make but the day had to come.”

He also commented on United’s tumultuous season, saying: “This was not a very good year for the team. I did not have differences, but there were things that happened that shouldn’t have happened [with the team this year]. Management saw that it was the right moment. It hurts me because it’s not the way I wanted to say goodbye. I know I can contribute a little more. Unfortunately, I was not given the opportunity this year for ‘X’ reasons.”

To United’s supporters, he said: “You will always be in my heart.”