SUMMARY
- Kelley O'Hara has decided to hang up her boots after the ongoing season.
- However, let's explore a few reasons why the Gotham FC defender should reconsider the decision.
Gotham FC and USWNT defender, Kelley O’Hara has announced her retirement from professional soccer. The 35-year-old plans to hang up her boots after the end of the current National Women’s Soccer League season. Injuries have played a major role in her decision, with her appearances limited in recent times due to fitness issues.
“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.”, said O’Hara in a statement released by the US Soccer Federation. The defender earned 160 caps during her stint with the USWNT.
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
Kelley O’Hara has enjoyed a splendid soccer career. She has two World Cup trophies along with one Olympic gold medal to her name. At the club level too, success has not been far away for her with two National Women’s Soccer League championships in her cabinet. The decision does come as a surprise to many with a lot of reasoning for her to take it back. Let’s have a look at a few of them.
Kelley O’Hara’s strong dressing room personality
Amongst her many on-field abilities, O’Hara is a well-respected figure in the dressing room. Her competitive edge has allowed her to step forward from the multiple injuries she has faced in the latter phase of her career.
Kelley O’Hara has announced that she will retire at the end of this year.
In 2020, she wrote about how she came back from an injury and won the World Cup with the @USWNT: Coming back from that injury will allow you to be a part of the U.S. team that will make it back to the… pic.twitter.com/a6htDbfDBU
— The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) May 2, 2024
The USWNT has also faced the recent retirements of Megan Rapinoe, Sam Mewis, and Julie Ertz. The presence of O’Hara would have undoubtedly eased the transition for the national team into their new phase.
Redemption with the national team pending for Kelley O’Hara
Kelley O’Hara has won almost every accolade possible internationally. However, her last stint with the USWNT came during the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. The national team fell way short of expectations during the tournament.
Kelley O’Hara is calling it a career at the end of the NWSL season 🫡
World Cup 🏆🏆
NWSL 🏆🏆
Olympic gold medalist 🏅
SheBelieves Cup 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Algarve Cup 🏆🏆🏆She made 𝟏𝟔𝟎 USWNT appearances and played in four World Cups 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/oTfZ2FTIPk
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 2, 2024
O’Hara could not convert her penalty in the shootout against Sweden and was eliminated during the round of 16 stage. With the Olympics around the corner in the summer, it would have been a golden chance for her to redeem herself.
Kelley O’Hara has unfinished business with Gotham FC
The defender joined her current club, Gotham FC only as a free agent in 2023. On their path to defending their championship, Gotham has seen O’Hara appear for them only twice this season. Injuries have plagued her final professional season so far.
For being an integral part of the team, for being a leader, and for simply being you. WE’RE NOT DONE YET 🦾
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) May 2, 2024
Consequently, Gotham’s title defense has been hit hard as they sit 11 points off the summit. The two-time World Cup winner would have liked to finish her career at the top of her playing abilities.