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Lo'eau LaBonta USWNTGetty/GOAL
Celia BalfJun 1, 2025FEATURESWOMEN'S FOOTBALLUSAL. LaBontaNWSLKansas City Current

'I freaking love this game' - Persistence and passion for soccer never get old for Lo'eau LaBonta, NWSL star who became the oldest player to earn first cap in USWNT history

Her USWNT call-up didn't come until she was 32, but that never stopped LaBonta from thinking she was deserving

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Whether it's at 16 years old or 32 years old, there's nothing quite like getting that first call to represent the U.S. women's national team. It's a "pinch me" occasion no matter the age - and on Saturday night, it was Lo'eau LaBonta's turn.

Allianz Field came alive as the USWNT rolled to a 3-0 win over China to kick-off a summer packed with friendlies. While coach Emma Hayes' roster was once again filled with young talent in the starting lineup - including Avery Patterson (22), Alyssa Thompson (20), and Lily Yohannes (17) - the second half presented a complete turn of events.

In the 70th minute, the 32-year-old LaBonta entered the match, becoming the oldest debutant in USWNT history.

It was a whirlwind moment, and she was so absorbed in rooting on her teammates, that LaBonta later admitted that she barely realized she was being asked to enter the game.

"When they called my name, I was sitting, being the best cheerleader I could be, on the bench," she said after the match. "I was like, ‘This is amazing.’ I’ve never been field-view watching the national team, it was so cool. And they were like, ‘Lo, go.’ I was like, ‘Go where? Into warmup?’"

Giddy, yet focused, LaBonta galloped on to the pitch, subbing out Catarina Macario, who had scored the opening USWNT goal and would be big shoes for LaBonta to fill. After congratulating Cat for her performance, LaBonta said to herself, "All right, I'm here."

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    'Eventually, Momma Em called me in'

    The possibility of LaBonta making her first national team appearance had been a topic since last week, when Hayes announced her squad for this camp, and included the NWSL stalwart. And of course, so had been the topic of age - while 32 is far from "old," there had never been a U.S. women's player to earn a first cap that late into a career.

    "I know that a lot has been made about, but again, I watch the league," Hayes said after the match. "I watch every game, and she was a player who didn't give up on herself. She also made sure her performances remained high, even when she didn't get the shout for the national team. I think that should serve as a great reminder to everyone."

    Experience is relative, and while LaBonta's experience hasn't been in a national team jersey, she's spent a decade playing in the NWSL, earning a reputation as a pivotal leader. She knows what it takes to play at the highest level. She earned her degree in engineering from Stanford, and has been a steadying force for the Kansas City Current.

    And while the call from Hayes didn't come until she was 32, it didn't for a second stop her from thinking she was deserving of this opportunity.

    "In sports in general, you have to have a short-term memory, whether it’s wins or losses," LaBonta said postgame. "And when there’s a loss, you let it sink in, but you learn from it and you move on. That’s what I’ve done with every obstacle in my life. I’m always joking around in the locker room and I try to do everything with a smile. But I’m out here grinding. And I think eventually, Momma Em called me in."

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    'Stubborn in the most positive way possible'

    There's something to be said about the drive and persistence of a player who - no matter the obstacles, no matter the blood, sweat or tears - can still say with a smile on their face "I love this game." That's LaBonta. And to everyone who interacts with her, it's her super power.

    Positivity is contagious. And in an environment such as the USWNT, fighting for your spot every day, a player who truly loves the game and is proud to say so is significant.

    "Being stubborn in the most positive way possible.," she said of the key to career longevity. "My rookie season, I got cut, and I was like, ‘This isn’t the end of my soccer career.’ I love soccer so much. I think that when I got the call-up, my first quote was, ‘I freaking love this game.’

    "And I do. It’s so fun and it’s constantly developing and changing and growing. And I think that’s me as a person and human being, as well. Someone’s gotta kick me out. I’m not leaving."

    LaBonta was drafted 37th overall by Sky Blue FC in 2015, and not long after was waived to make room for the U.S. players returning after winning the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. She then got another chance at the professional soccer life, signing with FC Kansas City in 2016.

    After jumping around to different clubs, she eventually returned to Kansas City in 2021 and has never left. The California native has 21 goals across her career in the NWSL, her biggest scoring season coming in 2022 when she had eight goals. Last season she had six goals.

    This USWNT camp was particularly special for LaBonta because she was called in alongside her a pair of Current teammates, Michelle Cooper and Claire Hutton. Both Cooper and Hutton are still fairly new to the USWNT roster, but have a leg up on LaBonta when it comes to getting a cap. While usually it's LaBonta offering Cooper and Hutton advice, Cooper said after the game how she really tried to help get LaBonta settled.

    "Coming from my first camp, I knew I was super nervous," Cooper said after the game. "So, just making sure to integrate her as best as I can and making her feel comfortable. And you know, Lo is doing that, no problem. She doesn't even need me."

    And LaBonta, of course, has never been shy about returning the favor in terms of career guidance.

    "A lot of the younger players, like Cooper and Hut, both on my team, have had call-ups," she said. "And I’m like, 'Develop your game. You can be here for years.' I’m just trying to get on the field now and be here for the next camp. But for them, it’s these little things that they can continue to develop and get better.

    "That’s what my whole career has been about. If we can help them now, they are going to have the longest, most successful careers."

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    'I'm gonna go, I'm gonna touch the ball'

    One defining trait of the USWNT is that all 11 players want the ball. There's no hiding, there's no lack of confidence, every player demands the ball - and knows what to do with it. When LaBonta entered the match with 20 minutes to go, she knew she had to touch the ball then everything else would play out.

    "What I love about Emma is that she wants the players to demand the ball," she said. "And the ball was just back and I was like, 'Nobody else is going, I'm gonna go, I'm gonna touch the ball' - and I connect my first pass. And I think that's such a huge thing in the sport. Like when you're coming for a cap, or your first game, whatever, get that done, and then everything is just chill after that."

    It's a common conversation within this team that everyone who steps foot in camp belongs. LaBonta credits Hayes for reiterating that, and giving her an extra nudge of motivation when her time came to enter the match.

    "I mean, shout out her for first calling me, and shout out to her again for choosing to play me," she said. "Shout out her! You know, I can do this all day."

    LaBonta's age is probably the least interesting thing about her at this point, but her energy, her creativity, and ability to fill in spaces both on and off the ball is just another dimension that strengthens the USWNT.

    "I think her maturity, you could see was there," Haye said. "She's confident to not only come in the game, but offered a nice supporting role."