Sauerbrunn, a former U.S. captain, retires

After a 16-year career, two-time World Cup winner and former captain of the U.S. national team Becky Sauerbrunn announced on Tuesday that he had resigned from professional soccer.

Sauerbrunn, a four-time NWSL Defender of the Year, earned Olympic gold with the United States in 2012, and lifted the championship trophy three times in the top-tier American league. She was injured and missed the 2023 World Cup.

Sauerbrunn posted on social media, “I haven’t slept since I woke up dreaming sixteen years ago.” “It sounds simple because of that. It was never simple. However, I would still run it back.

The American backline’s heart and soul during a pivotal time in the U.S. program, Sauerbrunn was adored by supporters and well-known for her constant presence in the locker room. She helped the team win the World Cup in 2015 and 2019.

The Portland Thorns were the team she played for during her final NWSL season.

“The end is not here. I will be present. Sauerbrunn wrote, “I love this game too much to give it up forever.” “But for the first time in sixteen years I’m going to find a quiet moment and close my eyes for a bit.”

After infamously fracturing her nose on her 2008 national team debut, Sauerbrunn went on to earn 219 caps in her international career. She is among the 14 players who have played for the U.S. women’s team and earned 200 or more caps.

According to a statement released by U.S. Soccer, Sauerbrunn stated, “I discovered early on that we were all merely renting our jerseys.” “I will always be thankful for the honor and opportunity of being able to don the U.S. Soccer crest once.

“The fact that I got to do it over 200 times is truly humbling.”

After Kelley O’Hara and Alex Morgan announced their retirement this year, she is the most recent of several well-known American athletes to hang up their boots. This marks the end of an era for the incredibly successful U.S. team.

Alyssa Naeher, the starting goalkeeper, announced last month that she will play club soccer the next year while retiring from international action.