Last week was a bit of a reality check for many women’s soccer fans.
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Time marches on.
Inevitably, age and the the physical demands of professional sports catch up with even the most well-conditioned athletes. But it always comes as something of a shock at the end of the soccer season when the retirement announcements come all at once.
It started with Christen Press, who announced her decision on Good Morning America and then through a series of poignant letters to herself published by The Athletic.
WoSo fans really don’t need to be reminded of CP23’s accomplishments. She won Women’s World Cup titles with the United States in 2015 and 2019 and a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Over a decade with the national team, she appeared in 155 matches, scoring 64 goals and 43 assists.
Press played professionally in Sweden and has played in the NWSL for the Chicago Red Stars, Utah Royals and Angel City, in addition to a stint with Manchester City.
Press was Angel City’s first signing in 2022. She scored two goals in eight games with the team before tearing the ACL in her right knee. She had four surgeries before returning last season.
But it seemed clear that after wife Tobin Heath officially retired in July, Press would probably follow. The pair have become YouTube stars with their RE-CAP show, which has a 55K subscribers. It is an extension of their commercial and advocacy platform, RE-Inc.
Press spoke eloquently about her decision on the RE-CAP show about how soccer was still an option for her, but she chose the rest of her life, now. Press has always seemed to go her own way, even at the end of her playing career, which I’ve always found admirable.
Emotionally, however, I was NOT prepared for how I’d feel about Lu Barnes’ retirement. Again, time catches up with all of us, and it was inevitable that Barnes would step away from the game.
But talk about the end of an era.
Barnes has played in an NWSL record 251 games — all with the Reign. She was one of just a handful of players who joined the league in 2013 and spent their entire careers with a single club. Seattle teammate Jess Fishlock is the only other of “The Originals” who is is still playing.
Barnes started on Friday night when the Reign downed the Utah Royals at home. Because it was the team’s final regular-season match at Lumen.
Barnes said she had about 25 family members at the game and her apartment was filled with friends and ex-Reign players.
“It’s so, so, so great, to feel so loved and supported. Like I told you before, I have the best job in the world. Built-in best friends everywhere. It’s an emotional one. I just played 90 minutes. I don’t think I can walk tomorrow, so there’s that. But I love the game. It was so nice to be out there in front of our home fans and my family in general and just the support and unwavering love from everyone has been so great. I love this community and I feel the love back. So it’s awesome.”
Barnes will play out the season with the Reign, which now includes at least one playoff game. After that, she said she’ll stay on with team.
“I’m going to stay here with the Reign in some capacity. I hope to continue to impact the game, just maybe looking a little different. But I want to stay here. It’s just home for me, something I’ve built here and I want to continue building on. I want this club to be the best. We’re we’re a little bit off right now, so hopefully being able to kind of push us forward and be in that top three in the NWSL again and be dominant. So I want to be able to get back in that and use my knowledge and my skill and my love for the city and football.”
Ali Riley previously announced she was retiring following the season, and was honored along with Press following Sunday’s Angel City match against the Portland Thorns. Angel City was eliminated from the playoffs.
Jess Fishlock announced this past week she was retiring from the Wales national team, after scoring the team’s first-ever goal at the Euros this past summer. She’ll play for her country during the upcoming international window before calling it a day on a 19-year career.
“The Euros was the pinnacle of my football career, seeing the dragon on the world stage for the first time will be a memory that will stay with me for a lifetime,” Fishlock wrote. “Every minute was a pleasure, a privilege, and an honour.”
She said she hopes to stick around with the Reign for one more season.
And one more veteran stepped away this week. Kansas City Current forward Kristen Hamilton announced she will retire at the end of the season. Hamilton has been with the league since 2014, playing for the Western New York Flash, the North Carolina Courage and the Current, and winning three NWSL championships
“I’ve been incredibly blessed to play this game for most of my life and 11 years professionally. The journey hasn’t always been easy, but it’s always been worth it,” she wrote on Instagram.
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LINKS
Not as bad as it looked for Trinity Rodman
ESPN asks who the best teenager is in the NWSL
The Equalizer on Christen Press’ legacy
Jessica Berman talked to The Athletic about her contract extension
TJ Maxx is Boston Legacy’s jersey sponsor
Pro Soccer Wire’s story on Lu’s retirement
Sandra Herrera’s take on Christen Press’ career
Portland Thorns look to reclaim former glory
KC’s Temwa Chwinga injured (No update on this yet)
Afghan women fight for recognition
Which Women’s Champions League team should you root for?
As Press bids farewell, Thompson steps forward.
The BBC’s story on Fishlock’s retirement
Kerstin Casparij writes about being an LGBTQ ally
Jenni Hermoso is back with Spain
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