After 231 caps, 47 goals, 56 assists, three Olympic gold medals, one senior team World Cup championship, and one under-19 World Cup championship, you have officially retired from the US Women's National Team.
You have become one of my favorite players to watch, to cheer for and follow due to your hard work, tenacity, and passion for the game. But the truth Heather O'Reilly, I didn't really like you when you first started out with the National Team.
Of course I was ecstatic when you scored the game-winning goal in the 2004 Olympics semi-final match as it gave the chance for my favorite player, Mia Hamm, to finish her as well many other women's soccer legends the chance to go out on top, which as you know they did by winning Gold that year.
But then, you took Mia's number. A number that in my ten-year-old mind I had thought should be retired by US Soccer. Mia was a legend and I thought no one could replace her, but you did.
After I got over being jaded about the number 9, I began to watch you play. You were a forced to be reckoned with on the sideline, being able to sprint up and down, out sprint opponents, and create crucial crosses and scoring opportunities for the USWNT. I was constantly in awe of what you could do in a sliver of space and create opportunities out of nothing. Every time you stepped on the field I knew magic was about to happen and you would make something happen. And that's what happened at the 2012 Olympics. You didn't start that game, in fact, you came in during extra time, but that didn't phase you, you knew what your job was and you did it. You provided the assist for the game-winning goal, once again sending the US into the Gold medal match.
When I reflect on your USWNT career, I won't remember your goals or assists, although I will look upon those fondly, but I will remember how you always worked hard and did your job no matter what. It did not matter to you if you were a starter or a sub because every time you stepped onto that field you played the same. You chased down every opponent and worked until you couldn't anymore and even then you worked harder. You were consistently the fittest person on the USWNT, even setting a record for the beep test this year even when you weren't selected to be on the Olympic team. That type of work ethic was something that I always wanted to emulate as it is truly taking on a team mentality. You wanted the team to succeed before you, even if it meant something you didn't like.
It is appropriate that Mia Hamm gave you your send off and you did for her in 2004. You both will always be known for your hard work and secretly carrying the team even though you were not always in the spotlight. However, it is that type of player that a team needs even if it takes courage and strength to take that spot. So far that, and for dedicating 18 years to the USWNT, I thank you HAO, there will never be another player just like you and I will miss seeing you in the USWNT jersey but I will continue to watch you sprint and soar in the NWSL and beyond.
