Credit: Michael Thomas Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
Becky Sauerbrunn announced her retirement from professional soccer today, posting on Instagram that “it’s time.”
Sauerbrunn, 39, retires after 16 years as a professional. The defender won three National Women’s Soccer League titles with FC Kansas City in 2014 and 2015, and with the Portland Thorns in 2022. She has to date been honored with the NWSL Defender of the Year award more than any other player in league history, with four wins.
Sauerbrunn earned 219 caps for the U.S. women’s national team, capturing a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics and two World Cup trophies in 2015 and 2019, respectively.
In a statement to U.S. Soccer, she laid out her feelings on representing the United States.
“I learned early on that we were all just renting our jerseys. That I got to wear the U.S. Soccer crest once was an honor and privilege for which I’m forever grateful. The fact that I got to do it over 200 times is truly humbling. I competed with and learned from some of the…
