Key Takeaways
- Quentin Westburg sat down with RG to discuss his long soccer career across four countries.
- The former goalkeeper saw his time in the beautiful game cut short due to concussions.
- Westburg spoke about his new ventures, including scouting and youth development.
Quentin Westberg #16 of Toronto FC (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
6,611 days. 158,665 hours. 217 months. 18 years. That’s the amount of time between Quentin Oyamo Westberg’s first-team debut and his retirement.
It has been eight months since Westberg announced his decision to hang up his boots, ending a career that spanned two continents and four countries and saw him occupy various roles, from third-choice goalkeeper to starter.
“I didn't choose to retire,” Westberg said in an exclusive RG interview. “I had back-to-back concussions—my last action on a soccer field was when I used my head to save a point-blank shot that was hit as hard as possible. I did everything I could to return, but when it’s the same thing 10–11 months down the road and you’re just dizzy while jogging, you can’t sprint or turn your head at an intense cadence… We all love a Cinderella story where you get to pick your ending, but I understood that I’m not eternal and that people move on from you. I’m at peace with how it ended.”
Growing Up Across Two Worlds
The son of an American father and a French mother, Westberg grew up in the Parisian suburb of Suresnes and developed in the youth academies of Saint-Cloud, Paris Saint-Germain, and Issy-les-Moulineaux. While he played as a goalkeeper for his club, he often played outfield during pickup games and recess, a habit that helped him become a ball-playing goalkeeper.
“In one of my first games, I was 18, and my goalkeeper coach told me after the match, ‘Stop calling out names and then playing the ball into people; this is not how it’s done.’ My game was a bit ahead of its time, which is perhaps why I lasted longer and enjoyed the last 10 years of my career more than the first 10. Goalkeeping is about forgetting the previous action. You can't let a mistake ruin the rest of the game, and you can't let a great performance make you feel too comfortable.”
In 1999, Westberg earned a spot at the prestigious Clairefontaine academy, appearing in Bruno Sevaistre’s documentary À la Clairefontaine, which chronicled the journeys of future stars like Hatem Ben Arfa and Abou Diaby. Unlike his teammates, Westberg chose to represent the United States at the U17, U20, and U23 levels, participating in the FIFA U-17 and U-20 World Cups and the Concacaf U-20 Championship. However, he never made a senior appearance for the US Men’s National Team.
From France to MLS: A Career Defined by Grit
After three years at Clairefontaine, Westberg joined Troyes in 2002. He made his professional debut on Oct. 21, 2006, coming off the bench and conceding two goals in a 3–1 loss to Valenciennes. He rebounded the following week with a full 90 minutes in a 3–1 win over Saint-Étienne. These would be his only appearances that season as Troyes were relegated.
Despite being given the No. 1 shirt, Westberg remained behind Cyrille Merville in league play and primarily featured in cup matches. When Troyes dropped to the third division after the 2008–09 season, Merville and other veterans departed, allowing Westberg to step into the starting role. He played 32 of 38 league matches, conceding just 25 goals en route to promotion.
“As soccer players in Europe, the fate of so many employees at a club, not to mention the fans and the ecosystem around the city, revolves around your team. That’s how stressful a relegation or promotion battle can be and how much it affects an entire population,” he said.
“A few hours ago, I was visiting a school for my daughter, and the principal recognized me and said, ‘I was there for the game you got promoted in 2009.’ You become part of the history—not just of the club, but of the city.”
After leaving Troyes, he joined Évian, where he made just seven appearances but featured in their most crucial matches. Westberg was in goal when Évian eliminated Ligue 1 champions Marseille in the Coupe de France and during their final three league victories that secured promotion to the top flight. He also appeared in their first two league games and one cup match the following season.
“When things aren’t going your way and you’re not playing much, you either develop resilience or you chase instant gratification. But I realized that my character mattered more than my minutes. That character would shape my performances when I finally got a shot.”
Seeking consistent minutes, Westberg dropped to the third tier with Luzenac AP, helping them earn promotion, only for the club to be barred from Ligue 2 due to stadium issues. He then had a brief stint in Norway with Sarpsborg before returning to France with Tours and later Auxerre.
In 2019, Westberg began a new journey in MLS with Toronto FC. Though initially a backup, he became the starter and occasional captain, leading the club to the MLS Cup Final that year. The following season saw the team navigate the COVID-altered schedule, eventually qualifying for the Canadian Championship Final, which they won two years later on penalties.
“I don’t regret it for a second,” Westberg said. “I didn’t leave for MLS; I left for Toronto. After my first conversation with Greg Vanney, I knew it was the right fit. Toronto was a top organization with top people. When I look back at those years, they were some of the most enjoyable in my life.”
After stints in Connecticut and Orlando due to pandemic restrictions, he later joined Atlanta United in 2023 as a backup before retiring at the end of the 2024 MLS season.
A New Era Begins
Westberg has spent the past eight months focused on family, earning a U.S. Soccer Talent Scout License Level 2, and completing a UEFA Certificate for Football Managers at the University of Lausanne. He co-hosts the podcast Ballon-Main-Corps with fellow Clairefontaine alums Ricardo Faty and Sébastien Bassong, where they explore the personal journeys of athletes.
Last week, he moved his family from Atlanta back to France, giving them proximity to relatives while he continues to travel and shape the next phase of his career.
“For the first time in my life, I’m the master of my own schedule. Right now, it’s a lot of meetings, visits to clubs. I’m hitting the refresh button through the kids I coached in the U.S. and France. All these conversations with academy directors and decision-makers have been eye-opening,” he said. “You always need to reinvent yourself and challenge the status quo. Being exposed to all of that gives you a new perspective and helps you understand how things can be done.”
At 39, Quentin Westberg is writing a new chapter—off the field but still within the beautiful game.
