Kelley O’Hara made her big return to the field for Gotham FC on Sunday night after missing the past five months with a knee injury. The home crowd gave the 36-year-old U.S. Women’s National Team icon a rousing applause when she entered the game in the 85th minute of a friendly against Chelsea.
O’Hara is playing her final NWSL season, having announced she will retire at the end of the year. Her final season with Gotham FC was not a dream closing chapter of her career, as she has been unable to play since March.
O’Hara made two appearances for Gotham during the regular season, playing only 80 minutes.
The crowd went wild when they were finally reunited with their captain.
Kelley O’Hara returns for the first time since March
Sorry to our headphone users, but the crowd did THIS
– NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) 20 August 2024
Kelley O’Hara enters the field with the captain’s armband pic.twitter.com/ogmj4FVub9
Surprise, it’s Kelley O’Hara who is @GothamFC.
— DAZN Women’s Football (@DAZNWFootball) 20 August 2024
Injuries were one of the main reasons for O’Hara’s decision to end his career.
“Getting injured and coming back, getting injured and coming back and just keeping going, 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 doubts that come with injuries. 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 body. And there’s always so much doubt around injuries. It’s like, ‘Can I feel like I did before?’ The reality is, sometimes you don’t feel that way.”
Sunday’s game nearly resulted in a setback for the USWNT when Gotham FC signed legendary midfielder Heather O’Reilly to a one-day contract for the friendly. In a brutal twist, she failed the medical test to play in the game.
️ | #GothamFC has signed Heather O’Reilly as a reserve player for injured players until August 19, 2024. pic.twitter.com/z0KPc6hhxl
The ultimate mood killer. I failed my physical. My heart is too big – the machine wouldn’t handle it. I’m here to support you and thanks for the excitement, guys https://t.co/9k5YFBQu8z pic.twitter.com/gkZaKcKv5P
Chelsea won the friendly match 3-1.
