Photo by Bruce Fedyck/USA Today Sports
By RYAN TOLMICH
After this summer’s triumph at the Women’s World Cup, U.S. Women’s National Team midfielders Shannon Boxx and Lauren Holiday are set to ride off into the sunset.
Both Holiday and Boxx will retire from the USWNT upon the conclusion of this fall’s 10-game victory tour. In addition, Boxx will also be retiring from the club game and will not be returning to the Chicago Red Stars for the remainder of the NWSL season.
Holiday’s retirement puts an end to a career that started with her first cap in 2007. In total, the 27-year-old former Lauren Cheney has amassed 130 caps and 24 goals, including the eventual game-winner in the Women’s World Cup final against Japan.
“I prayed about it for a couple years and really over the last year, I’ve had a lot of clarity that I was ready to move on,” said Holiday. “It is a bit bittersweet as I have a lot of emotion invested in the Women’s National Team, but I’m also excited to start the next chapter of my life. I’ve accomplished and fulfilled all my dreams in soccer and now there are other things I want to do. I want to serve other people and focus on my family.
“It’s been an incredible honor and privilege to play so many games for the National Team, but I’m at peace with my decision. The tour will be a lot of fun over the next few months to celebrate not only a great World Cup win, but also my career and spending time with my teammates.”
Boxx’s retirement will put an end to a career that has seen the midfielder amass 191 caps and 27 goals while appearing in four Women’s World Cups and three Olympics. Shortlisted three times for FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year, the 38-year-old feature in all three incarnations of U.S. professional women’s soccer leagues.
“I’ve been blessed to play soccer professionally for 15 years,” Boxx said. “Much of my success at the international level — three gold medals and a World Cup victory — is owed to the professional women’s soccer leagues in which I’ve played. I’m excited to see the NWSL grow and inspire a new generation of girls who may, one day, have their dreams come true just as mine did.
“This is the right decision for me right now,” Boxx added. “And though I’ll continue on with the U.S. team and our victory tour, I look forward to the next chapter in my career. Having the time to focus more on my family, whose support has made everything possible, is something I will cherish as much as the game.”
The USWNT kicks off its victory tour on August 16 and 19 for matchups against Costa Rica in Pittsburgh and Chattanooga, Tenn., respectively. The team will then face Australia in Detroit and Birmingham on Sept. 17 and 20 before a pair of October clashes with Brazil.
What do you think of Holiday and Boxx’s upcoming retirements? What will you remember about their careers?
Share your thoughts below.
Class acts. Excellent examples for my two daughters. THANK YOU!
It’s a shame that we are talking about some of the best USWNT players yet cannot figure out how to spell their names correctly.
Right in the headline too
Abby should also do the same. It is time for her to move on too. I suspect she will be given the Christine Lilly package though and hang around until the coach tells her, I won’t be calling anymore. She should not be hanging on for the Olympics nor should Jill Ellis continue to call her. She was a ghost of herself at the WWC and she should know it and quit now before she has to be cut..
Boxx obviously is too old now plus Jill seemed to have little use for her and I have never been a Holiday fan so this is good news long term.
What fun ride they have given all of the fans! This world cup was awesome but have all the things that have been accomplished over the years by these 2 players and their team mates. They really are role great models for people everywhere.
Way to go out on top ladies. Our women’s players, with 1 notable exception, have always shown the highest class and sportsmanship.
who you referring to? abby? (honest question)
Obviously Solo haha.