O'Hara, 35, was known throughout his career as a fierce competitor in the USWNT's elite competitive atmosphere and as a player who always put his body on the line to get the ball for his team.
“Representing my country and wearing the U.S. Soccer emblem is one of my greatest joys,” O'Hara said. “As I close this chapter of my life, I am filled with gratitude. When I look back on my career, I am so grateful for everything I was able to accomplish, but most importantly, the people I was able to accomplish it with. is.”
She finished her USWNT career with 160 caps, currently 21st in U.S. history, and played 10,287 minutes in a U.S. jersey, one of only 23 female players to surpass the 10,000-minute mark. . She had three goals and 21 assists in her USWNT career. She became the 25th player in USWNT history with at least 20 assists.
Despite playing in forward and offensive positions throughout her youth varsity and college career, she scored 26 goals and 13 assists, winning the 2009 MAC Herman Trophy at Stanford University and earning her place among the top teams in college soccer. He became a player. She moved to the outside for the U.S. team in 2012. She became a starter and helped the team win the Olympic gold medal at the London Games. A consummate team player, she would play mostly at outside back for the rest of her senior international career.
Although the latter half of her career was plagued by injuries, she was selected to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup team and played in two games, making her one of only 12 players in USWNT history to appear in four Women's World Cups. became. She captained the U.S. team four times during her long 14-year international career. O'Hara earned his first first-team cap on March 28, 2010, against Mexico in San Diego. She played in the USWNT's final game against Sweden at the World Cup on August 6, 2023.
O'Hara was a star player for the U.S. Women's Youth National Team, scoring two goals at the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Russia. She remains one of the all-time leading scorers for the U.S. Under-20s, finishing her career with 24 goals in 35 games for her U-20s. She scored four goals for the U-20 team at the 2007 Pan American Games. She also played for the U.S. U-17 Women's National Team in 2005, where she led the team in goals with 10, and also played for the U.S. U-16 National Team in 2004. She also played for the US U-23WNT.
O'Hara enjoyed a long and successful club career and is one of the few remaining players in the NWSL, playing in WPS and winning the title with FC Gold Pride in 2010. She also played for the Boston Breakers in the WPS, was in the NWSL for her first season in the league, and played for Blue FC in her first five seasons in the league. She then played three seasons with the Utah Royals (including a season affected by COVID-19) and two seasons with the Washington Spirit, winning their first NWSL title in 2021 before rebranding. He returned to New Jersey/New York Gotham FC for his final two professional seasons. When she signed with Gotham, she made history as the first ever NWSL free agent to sign with the club.
O'Hara was one of the first female footballers of her generation to break into media, launching a successful and entertaining podcast through Just Women's Sports, but today announced her retirement via her 'Kelly on the Streets' video. did.
Kelly Maureen O'Hara was born in Peachtree City, Georgia, attended Starr's Mill High School where she won a state title, and grew up in Fayette County. When she hangs up her shoes, this county will become the new home of U.S. soccer. Construction begins on the new U.S. Soccer National Training Center. O'Hara played for the Peachtree City Lasers, Lightning, Concord and Fire clubs before becoming a star at Stanford University, setting records for goals and assists. She was named to the Pac-12 Women's Soccer All-Century Team in 2015.