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O’Hara’s Career Comes to a Close

O'Hara will remain involved

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Gotham FC has officially placed veteran defender Kelley O’Hara on the season-ending injury list due to ongoing knee degeneration, marking the end of her final professional season. Despite being sidelined, O'Hara will remain involved with the team in a leadership capacity for the remainder of the season, the club announced on Saturday.

A key figure in U.S. women's soccer, O’Hara previously revealed in May that she would retire at the end of the 2024 NWSL season after years of battling ankle and knee injuries. “To get injured and come back, and get injured and come back, and just keep doing it—it really takes a toll on you,” she shared in an interview with Just Women’s Sports.

O’Hara has been an indispensable member of the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) for over a decade, competing in four World Cups and helping the team win two titles in 2015 and 2019. Her decorated career also includes winning a WPS championship and two NWSL championships, most recently with the Washington Spirit in 2021 and Gotham FC in 2023.

Having been with the NWSL since its inception, O’Hara’s journey in the league started with Sky Blue FC. She later played for the first iteration of Utah Royals FC before joining the Spirit. O’Hara signed with Gotham in January 2023, returning to the club where she first made her mark.

Gotham FC plans to honor O’Hara’s illustrious career during its final regular-season home match against the Orlando Pride on October 20 at Red Bull Arena.

O’Hara’s retirement has been looming since the 2023 World Cup, when her inclusion on the roster was accompanied by raw emotions due to her recurring knee injuries. Despite her best efforts, she struggled to secure consistent playing time for Gotham over the last two seasons. While being placed on the season-ending injury list signals the conclusion of her time on the field, O’Hara has been candid about prioritizing her long-term health.

“I’m trying to stay hopeful for the quality of life I want,”

O’Hara said in a podcast interview earlier this year, adding that she hopes to manage everyday activities like walking to the grocery store without severe pain. Off the field, O’Hara has already begun to carve out a space in the media world. She has worked as an analyst for CBS, providing coverage during the USWNT’s Gold Cup run.

Additionally, O’Hara has been a long-time contributor to *Just Women’s Sports*, where she hosts the podcast *Fast Friends* alongside Lisa Leslie, which launched recently. Though her playing days are now behind her, O’Hara’s legacy as a leader and trailblazer in women’s soccer is firmly established.


Mandarin / 汉语