10/29/2026 3:57:00 PM | Men's Soccer
The former Pioneer goalkeeper played for 16 seasons in Major League Soccer for D.C. United, Houston and Nashville
DENVER – University of Denver men's soccer 2010 alum Joe Willis announced that he will retire following the conclusion of the 2026 Major League Soccer season.
"Sixteen years as a professional is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to his talent, discipline and consistency required to compete at the highest level," Jack and Sheila Weinberg Head Men's Soccer Coach Jamie Franks said. "As a University of Denver alumnus, he has represented our program with distinction and established a lasting legacy for the generations of Pioneers who follow. We congratulate him on an outstanding career and thank him for the example he has set for DU men's soccer."
The former Pioneer goalkeeper has made 299 career MLS regular season appearances and 295 career starts, seeing over 26,000 minutes of action. Willis has 28 career clean sheets and has made 909 career saves.
In his postseason career, Willis made 16 appearances and 15 starts, stopping 42 shots against 24 goals allowed. Willis lifted three major trophies in his MLS career, winning the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with D.C. United in 2013, Houston in 2018 and Nashville in 2025.
A three-time All-MPSF First Team selection, Willis made 51 appearances for the Pioneers in his collegiate career, starting 50 games in-between the pipes in the Mile High City. Willis had a 1.1 goals against average and made a school record 231 saves en-route to 15 clean sheets (fifth in DU history). The 38 year old claimed 23 goalkeeper wins, also fifth in Denver's record books, and led the Pioneers to the MPSF Regular season title and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2010.Â
UP NEXT:
Denver will close out the road portion of it schedule on Saturday when the Pioneers travel to Santa Clara. Opening kickoff is set for 8 p.m. MT, and the match will be broadcast on ESPN+.Â
TICKETS:
Tickets for the final Denver home match are on sale now and can be purchased here.Â
DENVER'S HOME FOR COLLEGE SPORTS
Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 18 of Denver's NCAA Division I sports.
Like Denver Pioneers and Denver Men's Soccer on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_MSoccer on Twitter
Follow @denverpioneers and @denversoccer on Instagram
