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Celia Balf

Retirement retrospective: Top moments of USWNT legend Becky Sauerbrunn's 16-year career

INDIVISA looks at many of USWNT defender Becky Sauerbrunn's top moments of her career

When considering the best defenders of all time, U.S. Women's National Team member and former captain Becky Sauerbrunn's name always comes up. From teammates, to coaches, opponents, and analysts of the game, the message is clear: Sauerbrunn is one of the greatest to ever play in the back.

On Tuesday, Sauerbrunn announced her retirement from professional soccer. She played 16-years and made 219 international appearances for the USWNT, plus she has won two World Cups and an Olympic Gold medal. She's also been named NWSL defender of the year four times. While she finishes her career in Portland, Sauerbrunn previously played five seasons with FC Kansas City, two with Utah Royals, and the past five with the Portland Thorns.

After being the backbone of the USWNT backline, the Thorns and more, INDIVISA looks back at the top moments of the trusty center back's career.

  • Becky SauerbrunnImagn

    2008: USWNT debut, broken nose, but all the glory

    In Becky Sauerbrunn's senior team debut she made a statement. In January, 2008, the USWNT were playing Canada. Sauerbrunn, fresh, went up for a 50/50 battle with a Canadian player. As she went up for the challenge, she came down with a broken nose.

    This moment was profound in many ways; it symbolized just who she is as a player, ruthless and tough, but also what she would go on to do time and time again for her teammates. Sauerbrunn has always been a leave-it-all-on-the-line type of player, and those colors were on full display in her first senior match for the USWNT.

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  • Becky Sauerbrunn, 2012Getty Images

    2012: Olympic debut, 75th minute vs Korea DPR

    In 2012, Sauerbrunn made her first Olympic team. She was named to the USWNT roster for the 2012 London Olympics and on July 31 would make her Olympic debut.

    Subbing into the defense is no easy task, and on the Olympic stage, multiply that pressure. In the 75th minute in the group stage, the USWNT were playing Korea DPR and Sauerbrunn subbed in. The USWNT would go on to win the 2012 Olympics, and Sauerbrunn would record 38 minutes in the tournament. This moment made our top list because it just shows how trustworthy she is to be subbed in at this level, at that minute, on the Olympic stage.

  • Becky Sauerbrunn, 2013Getty Images

    2013: Captain Becky

    In 2013, Sauerbrunn wore the USWNT captain armband for the very first time. After making her way into a starting and consistent position at center back for the team, she would wear the captain's badge for the first time on March 8 in a match against China. A few days later, she would help the USWNT win the Algarve Cup.

  • Becky Sauerbrunn, FC Kansas CityGetty Images

    2013: Joins the NWSL in its inaugural season

    In 2013, after spending many years in the W-League, WPS, and abroad, Sauerbrunn joined the newly formed women's professional league, the NWSL, as she was allocated to FC Kansas City. She was one of three of her teammates on the USWNT to join FC Kansas City, Nicole Barnhart and Lauren Holiday being the other two.

  • Becky Sauerbrunn, 2015Getty Images

    2015: The year she played every minute

    In 2015, the USWNT won the World Cup, and Sauerbrunn not only started every match (25) for the US that year, but was the only player to do so. On July 5, she became a World Cup champion for the very first time.

  • 2022: Portland Thorns allocates a goal scorer

    Sauerbrunn was traded from the Utah Royals to Portland Thorns in 2020. It would only take her a couple years to find her first goal in a Thorns uniform.

    On June 19, 2022, she scored against the Orlando Pride in a dominant 6-0 win. While the goal itself was a thing of art, perfect little tap in finish from her, the celebration was what took it to the next level.

  • Becky Sauerbrunn USWNT 2024Getty Images

    Timeless: Never scoring for the USWNT

    One of Sauerbrunn's stats that she's most proud of is that she's never scored for the USWNT. In interviews she has said that she could if she wanted to, but just didn't have the desire to do so. Her humble humility is unmatched, and to this day, she still holds the honor as most caps without a goal.

  • Becky Sauerbrunn, Portland ThornsGetty Images

    2024: Sauerbrunn's mark on the game will last forever

    In 2024, Sauerbrunn joined the long list of USWNT veterans to retire from the game. As we look back at her career, it's without a doubt imperative to mention her commitment to play and fight for the best in the women's game until the end. As she leaves the game, it's left better than before.