via Getty
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 06: Megan Rapinoe of USA and Kelley O’Hara of USA are dejected after their team was defeated in ththe FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne / Naarm, Australia. (Photo by Alex Grimm – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
via Getty
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 06: Megan Rapinoe of USA and Kelley O’Hara of USA are dejected after their team was defeated in ththe FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne / Naarm, Australia. (Photo by Alex Grimm – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
The USWNT‘s golden period appears to be nearing its end. After a couple of superstars, Ali Kreiger and Megan Rapinoe hanging up their boots in 2023, 2024 seems to be the last year for hero Kelley O’Hara. After recently announcing her retirement which will be at the end of the current NWSL season, O’Hara has got the fans nostalgic. But it was her former teammate Rapinoe who wrote an emotional note acknowledging her incredible career.
Megan Rapinoe has witnessed the 35-year-old player’s career very closely. Taking to her Instagram story, Rapinoe reposted USWNT’s post and wrote, “Congrats on an unreal career Kel ✨🤩🫶❤,” and also captioned it saying ‘Lil Legend 🥇’ expressing her appreciation for her former national and club teammate.
via Imago
December 10, 2019, USA: U.S. star midfielder Megan Rapinoe goes through a warmup at Allianz Field with her World Cup teammates in Falcon Heights, Minn. Marcos Breton: From Elk Grove to SI honors, Megan Rapinoe has used her soccer career for worthy goals – ZUMAm67_ 20191210_zaf_m67_027 Copyright: xElizabethxFloresx
The USWNT released a statement yesterday which saw O’Hara expressing her gratefulness. She said, “As I close this chapter of my life, I am filled with gratitude,” “Looking back on my career, I am thankful for all the things I was able to accomplish, but most importantly, the people I was able to accomplish them with,” leaving behind an incredible mark in soccer. Moreover, the former striker and the Gotham FC star share a very close bond for many years.
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Recently, when Megan Rapinoe retired from all forms of soccer, O’Hara also opened up about the star saying “I know that the world sees the Megan Rapinoe that the world sees, but we get to see her up close and personal,” acknowledging her admiration for Rapinoe. Therefore, the current moment was also moving for Rapinoe as O’Hara also played a vital role in USWNT’s immaculate success over the years.
An incredible career for Kelley O’Hara that left Megan Rapinoe impressed
Kelley O’Hara’s career has been nothing short of outstanding. After debuting for the USWNT in 2010, the wingback won multiple accolades. Along with Megan Rapinoe, she was part of the 2012 Olympic Gold medal winning team and later secured 2 World Cups in 2015 and 2019 with the USWNT. In addition, the star’s goal against Germany coming off the bench in the 2015 semifinal is considered an iconic goal for the USA in World Cups. Transforming from an attacker to a wingback, O’Hara had become one of the most versatile players in the world. After an illustrious career, O’Hara currently has 160 caps for her national team with three goals and 21 assists overall.
On the other hand, the Georgia-born athlete also proved to be a vital player for her clubs. She won the WPS with FC Gold Pride in 2010 and 2 NWSL titles. Scoring the winning goal in the 97th minute for Washington Spirit in the final, the former U20 player won her first NWSL in 2021. She later helped Gotham FC secure the title in 2023 and will look to finish her ultimate year on high.
