Two-time winner and 2012 gold medalist has introduced her retirement from soccer.
The 39-year-old spent 16 years within the skilled recreation, enjoying an important position in a golden period for the (USWNT) and, at membership degree, lifting the Nationwide Girls’s Soccer League (NWSL) title on three events.
“Nothing will evaluate to the final sixteen years. How may it?” she mentioned in a . “The problem of chasing victory. The bravery to fail. The willingness to endure. The enjoyment and aid whenever you obtain it. The drive to go once more.
“Sixteen years in the past I wakened dreaming and I haven’t slept since. That makes it sound simple. It was by no means simple. Besides, I’d run it again.”
The middle-back performed each minute of the match because the USWNT gained the in Canada in 2015, and each minute after lacking the primary recreation 4 years later when the crew defended its title in France.
Sauerbrunn was additionally a part of the squad which took dwelling the Olympic gold medal at London 2012, and a key member of the bronze-winning crew at Tokyo 2020.
Ending her profession because the in USWNT historical past with , she captained the crew between 2021 and 2023, having additionally served as co-captain alongside between 2016 and 2018.
“I discovered early on that we have been all simply renting our jerseys,” she mentioned in a press release launched by US Soccer. “That I acquired to put on the US Soccer crest as soon as was an honor and privilege for which I’m eternally grateful. The truth that I acquired to do it over 200 occasions is really humbling.
“I competed with and discovered from a few of the biggest gamers and leaders this sport has ever seen, and I take into account myself past fortunate to have been capable of play a small half on this program’s storied historical past.”
Sauerbrunn additionally performed in each NWSL season to date, profitable the league’s award in every of its first three seasons beginning in 2013, and once more in 2019. She gained two NWSL titles with FC Kansas Metropolis, and one other with the Portland Thorns, the place she completed her profession.
“To the coaches who believed in me. To the followers who supported us. To the admin and assist workers who saved me shifting. To my family and friends who stood by me. To my associate for all of the follow reps and figuring out to not critique them. And to all my teammates who purchased in and fought each for one another and for an concept larger than ourselves. Thanks,” she mentioned.
The defender’s contribution was equally very important off the pitch, the place she was instrumental within the marketing campaign which introduced in regards to the in 2022, whereby USWNT gamers now earn the identical pay as their male counterparts.
Sauerbrunn is the most recent notable USWNT participant to retire this 12 months, following Alex Morgan and Kelley O’Hara. Alyssa Naeher additionally introduced her retirement from worldwide soccer final month.
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