The sensational Kelley O’Hara became a legend of the sport for a long time. She served the USWNT for a long time since 2010, announced her retirement from soccer, and prepared for her farewell match. However, she remains out of contention to play and probably won’t feature on a soccer pitch anymore. NJ/NY Gotham FC listed her on the season-ending injury list because of chronic knee degeneration.

Notably, she announced her retirement from the national team in May and prepared to hang up her boots at the end of the NWSL season. Yet, this new injury derailed her plans and her farewell match would be done and dusted. Ideally, it’s not something the 36-year-old defender loves, but what do you do? Sometimes life throws a curveball at you.

In another sense, Kelley O’Hara will continue to be around the team as a leader and a mentor for the NJ/NY Gotham FC. The soccer franchise will have grand celebrations for her in the team’s regular season home match at the end. The final game will probably be against the eventual champions of the NWSL, Orlando Pride.

They lead the table at the top and will play NJ/NY Gotham FC on Sunday, October 20th at 5:00 p.m. ET at Red Bull Arena. It would surely be a game to watch.

Kelley O’Hara – The legend of USWNT

For what it’s worth, we hope fans across the country come to the stadium to give her a lovely farewell. This is because she was a rock at the back for the USWNT for a long time. She played in four World Cups and three Olympic games in a glittering career and won multiple trophies.

During her retirement, she mentioned, “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.”

Here’s the long list of her accomplishments:

International career

• FIFA Women’s World Cup (2015; 2019)
• FIFA Women’s World Cup runner-up (2011)
• Olympic Gold medal (2012)
• Olympic Bronze Medal (2020)
• CONCACAF Women’s Championship (2014; 2018; 2022)
• SheBelieves Cup (2016; 2018; 2020; 2021; 2022)
• Algarve Cup (2011; 2013; 2015)

Individual accolades

• U.S Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year–finalist (2007; 2009)
• Hermann Trophy–winner (2009)
• NCAA All-American First Team (2009)
• IFFHS CONCACAF Women’s Team of the Decade (2011-2020)
• FIFPRO Women’s World XI: 2019

Altogether, Kelley O’Hara is a superstar of the game. They would miss her influence and experience within their lineup. The NJ/NY Gotham FC hopefully can find a better player to replace her calming presence at the back. But will they?