ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Matrix Midwest) – St. Louis native and former U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team captain Becky Sauerbrunn has announced her retirement from professional soccer, U.S. Soccer announced.
Through her 16-year international career, Sauerbrunn played in three Olympic Games and three Women’s World Cups.
For country, she finishes with 219 caps (185 starts), the 10th most in USWNT history. She has captained the USA 42 times during her career, fifth most in USWNT history.
While in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Sauerbrunn won two championships in her five seasons with FC Kansas City before playing two seasons with the Utah Royals, and eventually with the Portland Thorns for her last five seasons.
She helped Portland win the 2022 NWSL title and the 2021 NWSL Shield.
“I learned early on that we were all just renting our jerseys,” said Sauerbrunn. “That I got to wear the U.S. Soccer crest once was an honor and privilege for which I’m forever grateful. The fact that I got to do it over 200 times is truly humbling. I competed with and learned from some of the greatest players and leaders this sport has ever seen, and I consider myself beyond lucky to have been able to play a small part in this program’s storied history.”
Sauerbrunn went to Ladue High School, whose field is now named after her, and played for the JB Marine Soccer Club.
She was named the Missouri Player of the Year twice, as well as a high school All-American before being recruited to play at the University of Virginia, where she was named a First-Team All-American.
When she first came onto the USWNT scene, Sauerbrunn earned just three caps in her first three years. She earned her first spot on the team in 2011 for the Women’s World Cup in Germany.
During that tournament, which featured the iconic Megan Rapinoe-Abby Wambach equalizing header goal in the quarterfinal against Brazil, Sauerbrunn stepped up after Rachel Buehler was given a red card.
She also started in the 3-1 semifinal win over France, going the full 90 minutes to help the US reach the final.
In the 2012 London Olympics, she played in three matches to help Team USA win the gold medal.
Sauerbrunn ended her career starting 167 of her 182 caps between 2013 and 2024.
The 39-year-old is considered one of the greatest defenders in U.S. Women’s National Team history.
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