The Legacy Kelley O’Hara is Leaving Behind
Part of loving women’s soccer is saying goodbye to retiring players whom many of us grew up watching. Now, we are saying goodbye to Kelley O’Hara, who had a fantastic career with the USWNT and a great club career. Earlier in May, O’Hara announced that she plans to retire by the end of the 2024 NWSL season. The 35-year-old defender is leaving behind a legacy that will live on for years. Here’s a look at Kelley O’Hara’s legendary career.
The Beginning of Kelley O’Hara’s Career
One surprising fact about O’Hara is that she wasn’t always a defender. During her college and USYNT career, O’Hara played in attacking positions and was a forward. She even won the 2009 MAC Hermann Trophy as college soccer’s best player while playing for Stanford University. She scored 26 goals and made 13 assists. Only when she joined the USWNT in 2012 did she change her position to defender. Despite this change, O’Hara had a great career, proving herself a tough defender.
O’Hara is Part of NWSL History
Kelley O’Hara began her professional club soccer days with the USL W-League, where she played for Pali Blues before graduating. After graduating, she played in the WPS (Women’s Professional Soccer) before the NWSL was around. However, the WPS didn’t last long, as it was founded in 2009 and folded in 2012. O’Hara played first for FC Gold Pride, where she won the 2010 Championship with the team. She then played for the Boston Breakers and was set to join the Atlanta Beat, but that didn’t happen because of the league folding.
Luckily for the fans, O’Hara’s career didn’t end with the end of the WPS. She joined the NWSL from the start and has now played in the league for 11 seasons. Before joining Gotham FC in 2023, O’Hara played for Sky Blue FC, Utah Royals FC during their first stint in the league, and the Washington Spirit. With the Spirit, O’Hara won her first-ever NWSL Championship in 2021. In addition, she won the 2023 NWSL Championship with Gotham–the team’s first NWSL Championship. This makes her a two-time NWSL Championship winner.
When It All Started With the USWNT
O’Hara debuted with the national team in March 2010 and appeared in her first Women’s World Cup in 2011. Since then, the Gotham FC defender has had a great run with the USWNT. Unfortunately, she hasn’t received a call-up since the World Cup in 2023. O’Hara’s final match with the USWNT was the Round of 16 game against Sweden, which ended the team’s hopes of lifting the Women’s World Cup trophy that year.
Despite this sad end, O’Hara’s games with the USWNT will remain special. With around 160 appearances, the defender scored three goals and made 21 assists—fantastic numbers for a defender. It’s fitting that someone with O’Hara’s talent and achievements retires as a two-time Women’s World Cup champion. Additionally, O’Hara is a three-time Olympian, further cementing her legacy.
More of Kelley O’Hara’s Numbers With the USWNT
Kelley O’Hara may be retiring, but the numbers and titles she won with the USWNT will last forever. Besides being a two-time World Cup winner, O’Hara earned an Olympic Gold medal in 2012. Plus, she helped the team secure Olympic Bronze in the 2020 Olympics. She won the CONCACAF Women’s Championship three times and has five SheBelieves Cup titles.
O’Hara was part of the 2019 FIFPRO Women’s World XI along with Rose Lavelle, Alex Morgan, and Megan Rapinoe. If we had to pick an unforgettable moment in O’Hara’s career with the USWNT, it would be her goal against Germany in the 2015 WWC semifinal. Her goal in the 84th minute secured the win for the USWNT, and they advanced to the final, which they also won.
Numerous statistics cement O’Hara as a USWNT legend. Notably, she is one of just 23 players who logged 10,000 minutes for the USWNT. Her 21 assists place her among the 25 players in USWNT history to have 20 or more assists. Additionally, O’Hara is one of only 12 USWNT players to have competed in four World Cups.
Stepping into Retirement
O’Hara’s amazing career will forever be remembered, whether on the national or club level. She had great moments on and off the pitch, and she never failed to make people laugh. Her impact on women’s soccer is undeniable, and this isn’t the end.
Speaking with Just Women’s Sports, O’Hara said she still hopes to have a part in the game, whether it be through coaching or becoming a club owner. “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—I’m not sure in what capacity—to continue to grow,” O’Hara said.
In a statement made by O’Hara and released by U.S Soccer, she said, “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.” All of the titles and achievements O’Hara is leaving behind make her a legend in women’s soccer.
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