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Kelley O’Hara made her grand return to the pitch Sunday night for Gotham FC after missing the previous five months battling a knee injury. The home crowd gave the 36-year-old United States women’s national team icon a roaring ovation when she entered the game in the 85th minute during a friendly against Chelsea.
O’Hara is playing in her final NWSL season as she’s announced she will retire at the end of the year. Her last season with Gotham FC hasn’t been a dream final chapter of her career as she’s been sidelined since March.
O’Hara has made two appearances for Gotham in the regular season playing just 80 minutes.
The crowd went nuts when they were finally reunited with their captain.
Kelley O’Hara returns for first time since March
Sorry to our headphone users but the crowd did THAT
KOH is BACK! pic.twitter.com/zAHvcLMSAB— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) August 20, 2024
Kelley O'Hara takes the pitch with the captains armband pic.twitter.com/ogmj4FVub9
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 20, 2024
Surprise, it's Kelley O'Hara coming on for @GothamFC.
— DAZN Women's Football (@DAZNWFootball) August 20, 2024
Injuries were one of the main reasons for O’Hara’s decision to retire.
"To get injured and come back, and get injured and come back, and just keep doing it, it really takes a toll on you,” O’Hara said in an interview with Just Women’s Sports earlier this year.
"People don't see the doubt that's associated with injury. As athletes we feel a certain way, we perform a certain way, our body feels a certain way, we're very in tune with our bodies. And there's always so much doubt surrounding injury. It’s like, 'Can I feel the way I felt before?' The reality is sometimes you don't."
Sunday’s game nearly saw a major USWNT throwback as Gotham FC signed legendary midfielder Heather O’Reilly on a one-day contract for the friendly. In a brutal twist, she didn’t pass her physical to play in the game.
️ | #GothamFC has signed Heather O'Reilly as an Injury Replacement Player through Aug. 19, 2024. pic.twitter.com/z0KPc6hhxl
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) August 19, 2024
Ultimate buzzkill. I didn’t pass my physical. My heart is too big - the machine couldn’t handle it. Here to support and thanks for the excitement you guys https://t.co/9k5YFBQu8z pic.twitter.com/gkZaKcKv5P
— Heather O'Reilly (@HeatherOReilly) August 19, 2024
Chelsea won the friendly 3-1.
