The iconic defender of United States Women’s National Soccer Team and National Women’s Soccer League’s Gotham FC’s Kelley O’Hara, who led a distinguished career, has reportedly announced her retirement from professional soccer as per Just Women’s Sports “Kelley on the Street.”
O’Hara mentions as per Claire Watkins of Just Women’s Sports, “I have always said I would play under two conditions: that I still love playing soccer, and if my body would let me do it the way I wanted to. I realized a while back that I was always going to love it, so it was the physical piece that was going to be the deciding factor.”
#ThankYouKelley 💙 pic.twitter.com/yo67Cm6RxZ
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) May 2, 2024
Two-time @FIFAWWC Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist @kelleymohara announces her retirement at the end of the 2024 NWSL season:
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) May 2, 2024
Congratulations on a great career, @kelleymohara!
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) May 2, 2024
O’Hara, who has a prominent position in the women’s soccer world, is a two-time World Cup champion. Along with this, she is also an Olympic Gold Medallist and two-time NSWL champion. Her legacy is forever etched in both NWSL and USWNT chronicles.
A Legend to the Game 💙
Thank you Kelley O’Hara for the impact that you left on the league. We can't wait to watch the rest of your season. pic.twitter.com/xkJEKZ5SEC
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 2, 2024
2x World Cup Champion
Olympic Gold Medalist
2x NWSL Champion
3x CONCACAF Women’s Champion
5x SheBelieves Cup Champion
2x US Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year
2009 All-American First Team
2009 MAC Hermann Trophy Winner
2010 WPS ChampionWhat a run. pic.twitter.com/fVYa3BcH2S
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) May 2, 2024
During 2012’s USWNT Olympic Gold Medal campaign, O’Hara fully participated and her spectacular goal in the 2015 World Cup’s semi final while coming off the bench was highly touted as a legendary point. In 2019’s World Cup, she solidified her place among the iconic players in women’s soccer. O’Hara played in each knockout game in the 2019 World Cup after coming back from an injury.
O’Hara also further stated, “It has been one of the greatest joys to represent my country and to wear the U.S. Soccer crest. As I close this chapter of my life, I am filled with gratitude. Looking back on my career I am so thankful for all the things I was able to accomplish but most importantly the people I was able to accomplish them with.”
Although O’Hara feels fortunate to have developed connections that go beyond the field, she also stated that she will yearn for the interactions she had with her teammates on a daily basis. She is grateful for all the memories they made as a squad. O’Hara expressed, “You’re basically getting to hang out and just shoot the s**t with your best friends every day. Which is so unheard of, and I just feel very lucky to do it for so long.”
The decorated icon of women’s soccer has expressed her interest in maintaining some connection with the game, as she would not like to leave it completely. O’Hara has also founded a production firm with her fiancée and ventured into on-camera commentary for networks like CBS Sports.
The Hermann Trophy winner of 2009, indicates her curiosity about working for the expansion of the media landscape surrounding women’s sports. She mentions, “I just feel like I have a lot of passions, and things that excite me. And I do want to stay as close as I can to the game, because I feel a responsibility — and I’m not sure in what capacity — to continue to grow it.”
A legendary run on and off the pitch. pic.twitter.com/gEMqYoFkCO
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) May 2, 2024
Kelley on The Street: The One Where She Retires. pic.twitter.com/lV0tDzqbs0
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) May 2, 2024
O’Hara shares, “Whatever you do in life, do it because you love it, and the chips will fall in place. If you love something, you’re willing to do what it takes. You’re willing to make the sacrifices, you’re willing to handle the roller coaster. To me, it’s simple. Don’t do it for any other reason but that, and I think you’ll be alright.”
The sensational personality is still charging on with her off-field endeavors. The message that the superstar would like to impart to the upcoming generation is to follow what they truly desire in life and that would do well for them.
