WHAT HAPPENED?
The two-time World Cup winner, who initially planned to hang up her boots at the end of the 2024 NWSL season, has been forced to end her campaign early. Kelley O’Hara is a name that needs no introduction in women’s soccer, but the star has been placed on the season-ending injury list. NJ/NY Gotham FC confirmed the news, stating that her chronic knee issues have forced her to cut her 2024 campaign short.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
O’Hara’s retirement adds to a wave of USWNT greats whose careers have come to an unexpected end. From Megan Rapinoe’s achilles tear to Alex Morgan's recent retirement announcement, it feels like we’re witnessing the end of an era for the stars who’ve shaped American women’s soccer for over a decade. O’Hara has been more than just a player - her versatility on the pitch and her fiery leadership made her a cornerstone of every team she played for.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2021, after joining the Washington Spirit, O’Hara helped lead the club into their first playoff appearance in half a decade. After upsetting the reigning champions, North Carolina Courage, and toppling OL Reign in the semis, O'Hara delivered the difference maker.
She scored the game-winning goal in extra time during the NWSL Championship final, clinching Washington’s first-ever league title in a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Chicago Red Stars. Her next chapter brought her to Gotham FC in 2022, where she once again became the heartbeat of a team in need of a spark. With O’Hara’s leadership and grit, Gotham went from underperforming to elite status.
They are the reigning NWSL champion, after all. Not to mention, he’s a two-time World Cup champion and a 2015 Olympic gold-medalist.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR O’HARA AND GOTHAM FC?
Gotham FC will no doubt miss O'Hara’s experience on the pitch, but her impact won’t be forgotten anytime soon. With her new leadership role, she'll continue to inspire from the sidelines, supporting the squad as they aim to finish the season on a high. Expect a fitting celebration of O’Hara's remarkable career at Red Bull Arena on Oct. 20, a moment not to be missed.
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