Heather O’Reilly’s Second Act: Leading the Next Generation of Soccer

Heather O’Reilly, a name synonymous with women’s soccer, is still making waves on and off the field.

A highly decorated player with three Olympic gold medals, a FIFA Women’s World Cup win, an NWSL championship win, an NWSL Shield Win, and a stunning 231 international appearances under her belt, O’Reilly’s on-field achievements are legendary. And even now, her impact continues.

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Although officially retiring in 2019, O’Reilly never stopped working. She came out of retirement in 2022 to play for Shelbourne Football Club, based out of Dublin and contributed to the 2022 Women’s National League title.

“I didn’t think that the team would mean so much to me, and that I would really want to come back and help them win the league. I kept an eye on things when I went back home and, when the title race was heating up, I wanted to come back and help in any way that I could,” she said about her return.

She coaches the North Carolina FC Youth team, founded the Heather O’Reilly Soccer Academy, co-hosts Sirius XM’s “Played In” with fellow USWNT star Lori Lindsay, and in 2024, she surprised fans again by coming out of retirement to sign a one-day contract to play for Gotham FC in their match against Chelsea on August 19, although was ultimately unable to play after not passing her physical. In August, O’Reilly also announced that she would serve as an advisor to Italian Club Como 1907.

“Together, we’ll strive to reach new heights and make history,” she said in the announcement.

 

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O’Reilly also helped lead and ultimately win The Soccer Tournament (TST) for its inaugural season. TST brings well-known clubs, players, and retired athletes together for a 7×7 tournament with a grand prize of $1 million.  The 2024 U.S. Women’s Squad, coached by legends Mia Hamm, Carli Lloyd, Michelle Akers, and Carla Overbeck, was made up of formal national team players, including O’Reilly, Ali Krieger, Lori Lindsey, Allie Long, and Lori Lawson. The team beat the North Carolina Courage 6-3, claiming the $1 million prize.

O’Reilly’s contributions to soccer extend beyond the pitch, as well. She is a vocal advocate for gender equality in sports, and has been actively involved with  nonprofit organizations such as Right To Play, Athlete Ally, and America Scores.

And when she’s not in professional soccer mode, O’Reilly is a proud mom of two and wife to former UNC lacrosse player Dave Werry.

Heather O’Reilly’s legacy continues to be defined not only by her remarkable career on the pitch but also by her tireless efforts to grow the game and pave the way for future generations of female athletes.

Featured image via @comofootball on Instagram

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