The Unsung Legend: Celebrating Becky Sauerbrunn’s Soccer Journey
Soccer is a tough game. It needs tough personalities capable of going on and on despite all the challenges. One player who has kept going for 16 years is Becky Sauerbrunn–an underappreciated legend. Becky Sauerbrunn gave everything she had for soccer, and as she retires, it’s time to pay her a tribute.
The Beginning of Becky Sauerbrunn’s Career As An Underappreciated Legend
The name Rebecca Elizabeth Sauerbrunn is written in the soccer history books. Or the more famous version of it, anyway. Becky Sauerbrunn is an underappreciated legend, and she earned this title after 16 years of playing the game.
Her Time in High School
Sauerbrunn played high school soccer at Ladue High School, and she immediately left an impact. Today, the soccer field at Ladue High School is named after her. The Missouri native also starred for JB Marine Soccer Club. The indications of Becky Sauerbrunn becoming an underappreciated legend appeared when she was named the Missouri Player of the Year twice. Not only that, but she was also named a high school All-American.
Her Time At College
After a successful high school career, Sauerbrunn went on to join the University of Virginia. Success kept following Sauerbrunn wherever she went, and she found success with the Cavaliers. During her time there from 2003 to 2007, she appeared in an impressive 90 matches. The best end for her college career was being named a First-Team All-American.
Becky Sauerbrunn Becoming An Underappreciated Legend In The NWSL
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Sauerbrunn’s talent led her to the NWSL, where she shined brightly and made a name for herself as a fierce defender. She is one of the few who played in every NWSL season since the league’s inception. Sauerbrunn proved herself to be a great player during her five seasons with FC Kansas City, where she won two championships in 2014 and 2015. She then played two seasons for the Utah Royals in their first run.
By the time she joined the Portland Thorns, Becky Sauerbrunn was already an underappreciated legend. During her last five seasons, Sauerbrunn gave the Thorns her all. She did the same with every team she played for, no matter where or when. Sauerbrunn added more titles under her name when she won the 2021 NWSL Shield and the 2022 NWSL title with the Portland Thorns.
Her Accolades In The NWSL
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As Sauerbrunn retires and leaves the beautiful game, she is leaving behind her several titles and records that are more than well deserved. Her many records include her being a four-time NWSL Defender of the Year. She is also leaving the game as part of the top 10 all-time for NWSL minutes played with 16,217 minutes. The same thing with games started/played with the record of 184/189; the numbers speak for themselves. Finally, she is in the top 10 all-time NWSL for games won with 83.
Along with her many records, Sauerbrunn played in ten NWSL playoff matches, and she always gave it her all. Of 12 players, Sauerbrunn is one of the NWSL originals who played in the 2024 season. To end her impressive records, Sauerbrunn was named to the NWSL Best XI seven times. She is in the first place when it comes to this, more than any other player. Her records and titles indicate that the game lost a legend. Despite all these titles, Becky Sauerbrunn remains an underappreciated legend who deserved more recognition while playing.
Her Time With The USWNT
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The 39-year-old had an amazing career with the USWNT that many dream of. Just like she has been a great defender on club level, she was the same with the USWNT. Her beginning with the USWNT indicated that the national team has won itself a beast in the defense. With her great physical strength, Sauerbrunn had a lot to achieve.
Her first game was on 16 January 2008, where she left the pitch early after an injury. Sauerbrunn had broken her nose after battling for the ball with an opponent. It might not have been the best debut, but it feels like one that is fitting of Sauerbrunn’s character.
Her Titles With The USWNT
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Now, as Sauerbrunn is leaving the game, she is leaving it as “one of the greatest defenders and leaders in U.S. Women’s National Team history,” which is how the official US Soccer website described her. Sauerbrunn appeared in three Olympic games and three Women’s World Cups. The only thing that stopped her from playing in the 2023 WWC was a foot injury. She made her way into the USWNT lineup in 2011, leaving a clear impact that was indicative of what was to come. She became an essential part of the USWNT team by the 2015 World Cup.
As Sauerbrunn booked a place for herself with the national team, she was part of the team that won the gold medal at the London Olympics. She also has a bronze medal from the delayed 2021 Olympics. She also played a huge role when the USWNT won the WWC in 2015 and 2019. Finally, she has eight Concacaf championships with the USWNT.
Her Numbers With The USWNT
An underappreciated legend such as Becky Sauerbrunn didn’t just break records on the club level, but also with the national team. Between 2013 and 2024, Sauerbrunn started 167 games out of her 182 caps. She leaves the game with 219 international caps where she started in 185. Just like Sauerbrunn has always been a strong player, she has always been a leader.
She won the honor of captaining the USWNT 42 times. This makes her land the fifth position for most players who wore the armband in USWNT history. Sauerbrunn is also one of 14 U.S. players to play 200 games or more for their country. She has played a jaw-dropping 16,909 minutes with the USWNT. Even the fact that she never scored a goal with the USWNT makes her special.
Sauerbrunn’s Goodbye To The USWNT
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Sauerbrunn shared some wise words about her time with the USWNT. “I learned early on that we were all just renting our jerseys. That I got to wear the U.S. Soccer crest once was an honor and privilege for which I’m forever grateful. The fact that I got to do it over 200 times is truly humbling. I competed with and learned from some of the greatest players and leaders this sport has ever seen, and I consider myself beyond lucky to have been able to play a small part in this program’s storied history,” she said.
Her Legacy Off The Field
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What makes Becky Sauerbrunn an underappreciated legend isn’t just her time on the pitch. Her legacy off the field is just as remarkable. Sauerbrunn has always been outspoken and made sure to speak about important issues. She has been an advocate for equal pay and was one of those who fought for the USWNT’s push for equal pay.
Her fight, along with those of other players, ended in the Collective Bargaining Agreement in 2022. The agreement marked the moment when the USWNT started to receive equal pay. Sauerbrunn also fought for women’s rights and racial quality. An unforgettable moment was when she kneeled with Megan Rapinoe in 2017 during the U.S. anthem as a protest against anti-Black police brutality.
Another great moment was when she and a large group of female athletes asked the Supreme Court to protect abortion rights. Finally, Sauerbrunn also advocated for trans girls and women. She wrote an op-ed for the Springfield News-Leader in 2023, where she advocated allowing trans girls and women to play sports in Missouri.
The End of A Beautiful Career
Now, it’s time to say goodbye to one of the legends of the game. Sauerbrunn left the game better than how she found it. She is leaving it with a beautiful message that is to be expected of someone who loved reading as much as she did. In an interview with Sam Mewis on The Women’s Game podcast, Sauerbrunn said: “I love that we got to push for the playoffs, that I got to make the playoffs one last time. And that, that last game against Gotham, I got to leave my soul on the field. That’s what it felt like.”
What Sauerbrunn Said About Her Retirement
“It’s time. You work hard. You take each moment. And then it happens,” she started her heartfelt message on her Instagram account. “Nothing will compare to the last sixteen years. How could it? The challenge of chasing victory. The bravery to fail. The willingness to suffer. The joy and relief when you achieve it. The drive to go again,” she said.
“Of course I’d do it all again. In a heartbeat,” and every single time, we would have cheered for Sauerbrunn. So, despite the bittersweet reality of the NWSL retirement wave, there is one thing for sure. Becky Sauerbrunn is leaving the game as an underappreciated legend. Future generations will grow up admiring her and finally giving her the flowers she deserves. As we wait for her next step in the soccer world, fans can be sure that Sauerbrunn will shape future soccer for other girls.
Image via @reeba04
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