Heather O'Reilly announces retirement from US Women's National Team
United States Women's National Team veteran Heather O'Reilly announced her retirement from international soccer on Thursday, calling time on a spectacular 15-year career.
O'Reilly made her debut as a 17-year-old during the Algarve Cup against Sweden on March 1, 2002, as a senior in high school. She became the second-youngest player to hit 200 caps for the USA (behind only Kristine Lilly) when she reached that milestone on March 12, 2014 at 29 years old, 2 months, 10 days.
One of the most successful players in USWNT history, O'Reilly was a key element of the team that won three straight Olympic titles. After participating in two World Cups, she was part of the team that lifted the trophy for the first time in 16 years in 2015.
A traditional winger, O'Reilly became known for her searing pace, direct running at opposition defenders, and incessant workrate. She scored 46 goals for the national team and recorded 54 assists in her 230 matches, placing her 12th on the USA’s all-time scoring list and sixth place on the all-time assist list. With one more assist in her final game, she would tie Julie Foudy for fifth all-time.
At 31 years old, O'Reilly will hang up the USWNT jersey, but continue her club career. She currently plays for FC Kansas City, where she won last year's NWSL title. She'll end her international career on September 15th, when the US take on Thailand.
#ThanksHao
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From: HAO
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) September 1, 2016
To: The Best Fans in the World
PS: @AmericanOutlaws, new lifelong supporter on the way! pic.twitter.com/6shcbeeAn3
Congrats @HeatherOReilly on an amazing career. Thank you for representing us with such class , grit, and persistence . Legend!
— Mia Hamm (@MiaHamm) September 1, 2016
