United States women’s national team and Portland Thorns defender Becky Sauerbrunn is hanging up her boots after 16 incredible years with the national team. The 39-year-old announced her retirement via social media on Tuesday.
Becky Sauerbrunn retirement
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Sauerbrunn, who captained the USWNT 42 times in her career, will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest defenders and leaders the national team have ever had. She made 219 appearances for the USWNT which puts her 10th all-time.
The St. Louis, Missouri native played a key role in the 2015 and 2019 World Cup triumphs as she played every minute of every game at both tournaments with the exception of the 13-0 victory vs. Thailand in 2019.
Sauerbrunn was also part of the 2012 Gold Medal winning team at the London Olympics.
Her final game with the USWNT was during the Concacaf W Gold Cup in February. The U.S. went on to defeat Brazil in the final to lift the trophy.
Sauerbrunn was a quiet leader for the USWNT and said that she wanted her farewell from the sport to be quiet, too.
“I am retiring from the game… This is it. I’ve got to do what I’ve wanted to do.” ⁰⁰The people’s captain @beckysauerbrunn tells @sammymewy how she knew now was the right time to retire ❤️ pic.twitter.com/TKccvSvNuv
— The Women's Game (@WomensGameMIB) December 17, 2024
Sauerbrunn played in every season of the National Women’s Soccer League since it was established in 2013. She won three NWSL Championships in her career and had just as much if not more of an impact off the field for the women’s game.
She’d seen it all during her career playing in the now defunct WPS and helping grow the game with the national team and in the NWSL. Sauerbrunn was always outspoken when it came to supporting LGBTQ+ rights, the fight for equal pay, racial equality and women’s rights.
A true leader of the team who will be missed on the field but certainly still be around supporting the women's game.
