With spirits high, and some key injuries, 51黑料 City SC continues its road back in Portland
City SC interim coach David Critchley shouts instruction to his players during a game against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Energizer Park.
Eli Randolph, Post-Dispatch
Spirits have been higher around 51黑料 City SC leading up to the team鈥檚 game with Portland on Sunday night, and whether that鈥檚 because of David Critchley replacing Olof Mellberg as coach or because the team finally snapped its 11-game winless streak 鈥 two data points that aren鈥檛 entirely unconnected 鈥 doesn鈥檛 really matter.
鈥淥f course, everybody鈥檚 in a better mood,鈥 said midfielder Celio Pompeu. 鈥淏ecause when you win, everything is good. It鈥檚 tough when you鈥檙e losing and we have to keep working, keep trying to give our best in practice, to give the best to compete, to get your spot. So yeah, with the win, everything is better. Everything is easy, and I hope next week we have the same.鈥
Even with only one win, bringing its total for the season to a whopping three, City SC鈥檚 position looks improved. While still in 14th place in the Western Conference, City SC is one point out of 13th, two out of 12th, and if it wins Sunday, could hit the halfway point of the season just three points below the playoff line.
But the math is still a bit daunting. The last playoff team in the Western Conference last season had 47 points. City SC is at 14 right now, meaning it needs 11 wins in its final 18 games to get to 47.
The completion of the Portland game will mark the halfway point of the season, but it feels more like a new start with Critchley about to coach his second game. For Critchley, it鈥檚 important to remember where the team is, that its slow start under Mellberg has put the team in a substantial hole and its catchup time has a definite limit.
鈥淭his is a reset,鈥 Critchley said. 鈥淏ut I think the objective of this club is clear, to try and compete for a playoff spot. Obviously, we鈥檙e in a tough situation now. We鈥檙e looking at an uphill battle, but it鈥檚 mathematically possible. So, while it鈥檚 mathematically possible, we still need to believe that we can do it, and these guys are doing that. But for us, we have to understand where we鈥檙e at in the season as well, just more with teams being fatigued and tired, and getting to know each other鈥檚 styles, but we鈥檝e changed a lot about what we do. So, I鈥檓 answering both kinds of a line. For us, it鈥檚 a reset because we鈥檝e changed a lot, but at the same time we have to respect where we are in the season, and what we need to try and accomplish to compete for the playoff spot.鈥
As transitions go, this one is simpler than most: most of the team was around at some point when a high-press defense was the norm and a four-man backline was the formation of choice. It may be new to the 2025 City SC team, but it鈥檚 not new to the players.
鈥淚 think everybody knows their role in it and what they are supposed to do,鈥 said right back Tomas Totland, who returned to the field last week after missing 2陆 months that coincided exactly with the team鈥檚 winless streak. 鈥淔or me, I got injured when we played five (in the back), and I came back when we played four, so it was good to get those 35 minutes in and get some minutes underneath my body.鈥
鈥淚 love this formation they give us,鈥 Pompeu said. 鈥淏ut it doesn鈥檛 mean I don鈥檛 have to defend. We are still very aggressive. But the thing is I think it鈥檚 better, because we value the ball more. We still want to have our identity to press the other teams and be aggressive. But now I think we value the ball more. We are more patient in our build-up. So, this is very good for me. And individually, I love to play wide in the wing, to attack, to be offensive, to create chances for a team. But I am also gonna do dirty work. If you need me to, if I need to go back and defend, I鈥檓 gonna do it.鈥
Critchley said the analytics off the San Jose game were very encouraging. He said that high-speed running and total ground covered by players both 鈥渟hot through the roof from previous weeks.鈥 And PPDA, passes per defensive action, a measure how quickly the defense challenged the opposing team, was fourth best in the league. (A lower number there means the opposing team was confronted more quickly by City SC鈥檚 defense.) Next up is improving field tilt, a measure of how much time a team spends in the opposing team鈥檚 final third of the field.
鈥淧PDA was something I was really, really happy with,鈥 Critchley said. 鈥淚t dropped significantly for us, which is great. One thing we talk about is field tilt. So possession is one thing, but where we have the ball on the field is going to be massively important. So field tilt was around 45 percent, I鈥檇 like that to be around 55, so that will be a big emphasis of ours against Portland. How do we have more of the ball, but more importantly, how do we have more of the ball higher up in their half of the field?鈥
Critchley will get a taste this weekend of what life was like for Mellberg, with three of the team鈥檚 top players out with injuries, most notably midfielder Eduard Lowen. Lowen was bothered by a sore hamstring last week but was so eager to get back on the field he played through the pain, which was good for City SC as he had a goal and an assist. This week it caught up with him and he鈥檚 out. Also out are forward Cedric Teuchert and midfielder Chris Durkin, as well as midfielder Conrad Wallem has to sit out the game after getting a red card against San Jose. That鈥檚 four starters out from the 2-1 win over San Jose. City2 players Brendan McSorley and Jaziel Orozco were in training on Friday in case they鈥檙e needed.
Simon Becher was ready to feel pain to draw pivotal penalty kick for 51黑料 City SC
City SC forward Simon Becher celebrates during a game against San Jose on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Energizer Park.
Eli Randolph, Post-Dispatch
In an instant Saturday, Simon Becher had to do some figuring. Was the better scoring chance for him to shoot or get fouled?
In the closing minutes of regulation with the score tied, Becher had beaten his defender going after a long ball from Conrad Wallem. Knowing the defender had slipped, Becher knew he was in alone on the goalkeeper. But San Jose goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. had gone out aggressively on the play.
鈥淚 would have loved to shoot it,鈥 Becher said Wednesday as City SC started its practice week for Game 2 of the David Critchley era, in Portland on Sunday, 鈥渂ut he came out pretty hard and quick at me and honestly did a good job cutting the angle. So I think for me, the higher-percentage play was going around him, and I knew that he couldn鈥檛 really stop his momentum.鈥
Becher played the ball to his right, to try to go around Edwards, and he probably played it too hard to be able to recover it for a scoring chance. But at the same time, he knew the much more likely scenario was Edwards was going to slam into him for a foul and a penalty kick, which is exactly what he did.
Eduard Lowen fired in the PK for the goal that gave City SC a 2-1 win over San Jose and snapped its 11-game winless streak.
鈥淥bviously, you look for the contact a little bit,鈥 Becher said, 鈥渟eeing him and you see his momentum. If he would have given me space to shoot, then I would have shot. But seeing how he came out, it鈥檚 trying to go around him. And then in the back of your mind, knowing that he鈥檚 probably not going to be able to stop as well, so kind of putting your body on the line.
鈥淗e just kind of came through me.鈥
There was no denying the foul as Becher toppled over Edwards. But while Lowen gets credit for the goal, Becher doesn鈥檛 get credit for an assist on the play.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know how the stat works,鈥 he said, 鈥渂ut winning the game is good enough.鈥
Missing practice
Forward Xande Silva wasn鈥檛 at practice Wednesday. Players had Monday and Tuesday off after a challenging week with the coaching change and with their next game not until Sunday. Silva opted to go to New York for the break but didn鈥檛 get back to 51黑料 in time for practice Wednesday.
鈥淗e took a two-day break,鈥 interim coach Critchley said. 鈥淥bviously got himself in New York, wasn鈥檛 returned today, so he鈥檒l know his fine for not being with us today. But at the end of the day, he鈥檒l be back with us (Wednesday night). He鈥檒l get a training session tonight, individually, be back with the team for (Thursday).鈥
Cedric Teuchert and Chris Durkin, both of whom left the San Jose game early, weren鈥檛 on the field, with both working in the gym.
鈥淲e鈥檙e just kind of monitoring them daily to see how they do,鈥 Critchley said.
Rasmus Alm jogged on his own, while Jannes Horn did the early parts of practice with the team but then jogged on his own for the final, more aggressive parts of practice.
Jay Reid wasn鈥檛 on the field so he could play Wednesday with City2. Reid made his first start of the season Saturday.
鈥淎sked him on Sunday if he would want to play with City2 and get some more reps, and he said yes,鈥 Critchley said. 鈥淪hows his mentality is he wants to improve every single day and get himself better every single day.鈥
Red for Wallem
Wallem will miss his first game of the season Sunday as he serves a one-game suspension for getting a red card against San Jose. Wallem got two yellow cards for time wasting in a three-minute span in second-half stoppage time, causing City SC to play the final seconds of the game down a man. Wallem has started all but two games this season: the season opener, when he was a late sub, and the U.S. Open Cup game with Union Omaha, where he came on as a second-half sub.
That leaves Becher as the only player to have appeared in every game this season, covering both the Open Cup and MLS play, and Marcel Hartel as the only other player to have appeared in every MLS game. Josh Yaro, Kyle Hiebert and Akil Watts had all appeared in every game prior to the San Jose game. Yaro and Watts were on the bench but didn鈥檛 play, and Hiebert did not make the game-day roster.
It鈥檚 the first time an available Hiebert did not suit up for City SC in an MLS game. The games he hasn鈥檛 been on the roster were because of international duty, a red card or an injury. He also wasn鈥檛 on the roster for City SC鈥檚 Open Cup game with Union Omaha in 2023.
Hiebert had missed a couple of days of training last week with some leg pain, and Critchley said that 鈥渨ould probably be the main reason.鈥 But there was another reason: Hiebert became a father.
鈥淜nowing the condition of his family, family comes first,鈥 Critchley said. 鈥淲e all know that. So with that being in mind, we decided to make the decision for him on Saturday.鈥
Hiebert was back in practice Wednesday.
Loan arranging
Sparta Rotterdam exercised its purchase option on the loan of Nokkvi Thorisson and completed his transfer to the Dutch squad. The next step for two other loaned-out City SC players, midfielder Njabulo Blom and left back Selmir Pidro, is still being worked out, but it seems unlikely either player would be back with City SC. When the club couldn鈥檛 find a home for Pidro last season, he returned to 51黑料 and was loaned to City2 so he he didn鈥檛 count toward the main roster.
Horn鈥檚 loan to City SC ends June 30, and he鈥檚 already been linked to a transfer to another club in Europe.
Piece of cake: US women's team celebrates Sauerbrunn and dominates Jamaica 4-0
Tuesday night was U.S. Soccer鈥檚 tribute game for the recently retired Becky Sauerbrunn and Friday is her 40th birthday, so the U.S. women鈥檚 team decided to combine the two with a postgame happy birthday and happy retirement cake for Sauerbrunn, presented to her at the TNT broadcast desk at the north end of Energizer Park.
鈥淏ig night,鈥 said Naomi Girma, Sauerbrunn鈥檚 successor as the anchor of the back line.
There was plenty more to celebrate as the U.S. women dominated Jamaica with a 4-0 win before a crowd of 17,689 at Energizer Park that was emphatic in pretty much every way. Jamaica rarely crossed into U.S. territory, never really threatened to score. If you wanted to quibble, you could say maybe the U.S. should have scored more goals, but that was a small one on this occasion. The U.S. outshot Jamaica 23-2, and neither of Jamaica鈥檚 two shots were on goal.
And what better way to salute Sauerbrunn, who was presented with a framed jersey with the number 219 on it, reflecting the number of games she played with the national team, than to post a shutout?
鈥淲hat a legend, what an icon,鈥 said defender Kerry Abello, who made her first national team appearance in the game. 鈥淭he game of women鈥檚 soccer will never be the same without her, and she鈥檚 left an unrivaled footprint. I hope to follow in her footsteps and follow the example that she set.鈥
鈥淪he is someone who doesn鈥檛 want to be celebrated but deserves to be celebrated more than anybody,鈥 said Lynn Biyendolo, who scored two goals. 鈥淔or us to be able to send her off like this, it鈥檚 special for her, which in turn makes it special for us.鈥
Birthday cake aside, the U.S. team, even without many of its top players 鈥 this was the second-least experienced U.S. team, in terms of caps, in the past 24 years 鈥 saw players make solid cases for themselves. In the international calendar for the women鈥檚 game, a year like 2025, a year right after the summer Olympics, is a rebuilding and experimenting time in the sport. The next women鈥檚 World Cup isn鈥檛 until 2027, the next Olympics in 2028, so it鈥檚 a chance for coaches to look at new players and see how they fit into the scheme of things.
On Tuesday, 21-year-old Ally Sentnor scored twice, giving her four goals in seven games this season to show she can be a valuable addition to the team鈥檚 scoring depth, and Biyendolo鈥檚 two goals off the bench showed that at 32 she鈥檚 still a player who can provide a boost in a reserve role. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who had as easy a night as she鈥檒l likely ever have, not having to make a save, posted her third shutout in as many starts this season and took a step toward being the successor to the retired Alyssa Naeher in goal.
鈥淲e talk about these things called 鈥楥hampagne moments鈥 in our locker room,鈥 said U.S. coach Emma Hayes, 鈥渨hich is no matter the result, you always want to have a moment where you go into every game improving or adding to something. So we really wanted to be ruthless in the final third. I don鈥檛 think we started out like that, but I think we ended like that. And I think that鈥檚 a work in progress, being able to see everything that we want to see. But I do feel like there is so much more to us than there was 12 months ago, and that鈥檚 how you have to look at progress. So see what Ally Sentnor, unbelievable finisher, Lynn Biyendolo, come into a game and close it out like really, really good for us to have both those options.鈥
The U.S. has an exciting and productive set of forwards in Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson, the so-called Triple Espresso, though none of them are in this camp for various reasons. Sentnor, 21, is one of the players giving Hayes depth at that position and the pool of players to turn to when injuries happen. Sentnor has four goals this season, the most on the team. She made her debut with the national team last November; this was her ninth appearance overall and her fourth start.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 what she does,鈥 said Hayes. 鈥淪he鈥檚 got an ability inside the box that you can鈥檛 teach. She knows where the back of the net is, and if she gets a chance, she takes it. And not only was she in the right positions to do that, but she executed. And at the highest level, you have to execute your one or two chances that you get, and she does that really, really well. So really good. I鈥檓 happy for her because I know she feels that she wants to keep improving her game. She鈥檚 always keen to keep adding things. So I think this performance will give her a lot of confidence.鈥
鈥淚鈥檝e really been working on my positioning this camp,鈥 Sentnor said, 鈥渁nd it definitely paid off being in the right spots tonight. It was really a product of my teammates doing their job and me just being able to tap it in at the end.鈥
Her first goal came in the 19th minute from about 15 yards out, drilled into the left side of the net off a pass from Emily Fox. The second goal was much closer, after a shot by Alyssa Thompson was deflected and came to Sentnor in close, and she put that one away.
鈥淚 just see the goal and I get happy and I get excited,鈥 Sentnor said. 鈥淚 think sometimes I can play a little bit simpler in the box, maybe get a little bit closer, but I just see the goal and I like to shoot.鈥
Biyendolo came on in the 57th minute, scored in the 60th, and she鈥檚 done it even more quickly at other times.
鈥淪he does it time and time again,鈥 Hayes said, 鈥渁nd when you speak to her about it, she will tell you she knows how to do that role really well. I think it鈥檚 not to be underestimated.鈥
Hayes said she gave Tullis-Joyce both starts in this window so she would get experience playing with Girma. She said while Tullis-Joyce is in the lead now, she has to bring all of her goalkeeper candidates along.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 fair to say Phallon鈥檚 experience at this moment in time with the current group that I鈥檝e got is ahead,鈥 Hayes said. 鈥淚 still want to develop the other goalkeepers so I get a fair sense of where their level in relation to each other but also in relation to 2027. ... I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 just as simple as saying you鈥檙e my number one and developing one. I think it would be foolish of me to do that.鈥
One thing Hayes was thrilled about was the play of Girma. This and the China game last week were Girma鈥檚 first of the season with the national team as she recovered from a calf injury. The game was Girma鈥檚 first to wear the captain鈥檚 armband from the start.
鈥淣aomi is like getting the Rolls-Royce out of the garage,鈥 Hayes said. 鈥淲hat an unbelievable football player, just like a Rolls-Royce is an unbelievable car. She just brings a level of composure and decision making in the deepest spaces that鈥檚 so underrated. I thought she communicated well as the leader tonight, and that was important to the team, that we communicated well and she led by example in that. And we can put her back in the garage for a couple of weeks.鈥
51黑料 City SC's interim coach, David Critchley reacts to first win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Video by Beth O'Malley
Photos: US women's soccer team blanks Jamaica in 51黑料
Jamaica's Kayla McKenna shoots during the second half of an international friendly soccer match against the United States Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Kerry Abello in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
Jamaica's Solai Washington and United States' Kerry Abello (24) battle for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Alyssa Thompson in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Ally Sentnor is congratulated by teammate Emily Fox, left, after scoring as Jamaica's Chantelle Swaby, right, walks past during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Sam Coffey brings the ball down the pitch during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Ally Sentnor (9) in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Lily Yohannes pauses during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Ally Sentnor handles the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Alyssa Thompson in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Emily Fox (23) in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Emily Fox in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Alyssa Thompson tries to keep a ball in bounds during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce holds the ball during the second half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Lily Yohannes pauses during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Emily Fox passes during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
Jamaica's Kalyssa Van Zantan in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against the United States Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Kerry Abello (24) passes during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Kerry Abello (24) brings the ball down the pitch during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Catarina Macario in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Alyssa Thompson brings the ball down the pitch during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Kerry Abello in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Michelle Cooper (12) and Jamaica's Solai Washington (22) battle for the ball during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Deneisha Blackwood (14) brings the ball down the pitch as United States' Ally Sentnor (9) defends during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
United States' Tara McKeown (5) passes as Jamaica's Shania Hayles (7) defends during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Longtime defender Becky Sauerbrunn, a 51黑料 native who retired from soccer late last year, is honored before the start of an international friendly soccer match between the United States and Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Atlanta Primas (20) and United States' Lindsey Heaps (10) battle for the ball during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Longtime defender Becky Sauerbrunn, a 51黑料 native who retired from soccer late last year, is honored before the start of an international friendly soccer match between the United States and Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Michelle Cooper (12) and Jamaica's Solai Washington (22) battle for the ball during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
Jamaica's Deneisha Blackwood (14) brings the ball down the pitch as United States' Ally Sentnor (9) defends during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
Jamaica's Atlanta Primas (20) and United States' Lindsey Heaps (10) battle for the ball during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Tara McKeown (5) passes as Jamaica's Shania Hayles (7) defends during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Ally Sentnor is congratulated by teammate Emily Fox, left, after scoring as Jamaica's Chantelle Swaby, right, walks past during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
United States' Ally Sentnor, right, is congratulated by teammate Lily Yohannes after scoring during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Chantelle Swaby (4) clears the ball past United States' Catarina Macario (20) during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Allyson Swaby (17) and United States' Catarina Macario (20) challenge for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Amelia Van Zantan (16) and United States' Alyssa Thompson battle for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Longtime defender Becky Sauerbrunn, a 51黑料 native who retired from soccer late last year, is honored before the start of an international friendly soccer match between the United States and Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Solai Washington and United States' Kerry Abello (24) battle for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Amelia Van Zantan and United States' Alyssa Thompson (11) chase after a loose ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Longtime defender Becky Sauerbrunn, a 51黑料 native who retired from soccer late last year, is honored before the start of an international friendly soccer match between the United States and Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Kalyssa Van Zantan, left, and United States' Kerry Abello (24) collide during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Chantelle Swaby (4) clears the ball as United States' Catarina Macario (20) defends during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Longtime defender Becky Sauerbrunn, a 51黑料 native who retired from soccer late last year, is honored before the start of an international friendly soccer match between the United States and Jamaica on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Energizer Park.
Jeff Roberson, Associated Press
Jamaica's Allyson Swaby (17) and United States' Catarina Macario (20) battle for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Chantelle Swaby (4) clears the ball past United States' Catarina Macario (20) during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
Jamaica's Amelia Van Zantan and United States' Alyssa Thompson (11) chase after a loose ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
Jamaica's Allyson Swaby (17) and United States' Catarina Macario (20) challenge for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
Jamaica's Allyson Swaby (17) and United States' Catarina Macario (20) battle for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Ally Sentnor, right, is congratulated by teammate Lily Yohannes after scoring during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
Sentnor, Biyendolo each score two goals as U.S. salutes Becky Sauerbrunn with 4-0 win
U.S. Soccer said farewell to Becky Sauerbrunn on Tuesday night and hello again to Ally Sentnor.
Sauerbrunn got best wishes on her retirement from the crowd at Energizer Park, which chanted her name whenever it saw her, and Sentnor, appearing in just her ninth game for the national team and making just her fourth start, scored twice in the first half as the U.S. women鈥檚 national team beat Jamaica, 4-0, in a friendly match at Energizer Park. Lynn Biyendolo added two goals coming off the bench in the second half.
The U.S. team dominated the match, with Jamaica seldom getting past midfield and U.S. goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce probably not breaking a sweat.
Prior to the game, Sauerbrunn, the greatest woman player to come out of 51黑料 (and probably the greatest U.S. player to never score a goal for the national team) was presented with a framed jersey with the number 219 on it, representing the number of games she played with the national team, the tenth-most all-time. She was joined at midfield by family and friends after stepping away from the sideline analyst desk of the TNT broadcast. After the game, the team joined Sauerbrunn at the desk to celebrate her retirement and her birthday on Friday with a cake.
Sauerbrunn hasn鈥檛 really lived in 51黑料 since going off to college at the University of Virginia, and then moving around the country for her career before settling in Portland, where she鈥檚 lived for about 10 years. But 51黑料 made its mark.
鈥淚 leaned on the soccer culture here quite a bit,鈥 Sauerbrunn said. 鈥淭hinking about what I did on the weekends. I went to indoor 51黑料 Ambush and Steamers games, like that was the event for us. And having camps at Maryville, like Pat McBride camp, like all these things that I got to do through the years. Some of the best coaches that I've ever had were from 51黑料. So I think the culture here and just being ingrained in, like, a real soccer city. I know a lot of people say that they're a soccer city. 51黑料 is a soccer city, and so having that, the areas that we got to train in, like The Hill, and so it's just cool that I think the culture really helped grow that passion early, and it's something that I've carried on through.鈥
鈥淚 remember Becky when I had a really brief spell with the Washington Freedom,鈥 U.S. coach Emma Hayes said. 鈥淚 just remember, this was before she was on the national team and I remember walking in and saying to Jim (Gabarra, coach of the team), how is she not on the national team? She's got everything the country's looking for. She's composed. She's got great poise. She's got something that gets so underestimated as a defender, she anticipates things well, therefore she doesn't have to emergency defend, because she's always in the right position, a quiet leader that I'm pretty certain that once she got on the national team, she was never going to come off.鈥
While the U.S. has a exciting set of forwards in Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson, the so-called Triple Espresso, none of them are in this camp for various reasons. Sentnor, 21, is one of the players giving Hayes depth at that position, and players to turn to when injuries happen.
Sentnor has four goals this season, the high on the team, after making her national team debut late last season. She got her first on Tuesday in the 19th minute, scoring from about 12 yards out, and then getting the second 10 minutes later when a deflected shot by a teammate came to her and she drove it in. Had another good scoring chance that she couldn鈥檛 finish and was subbed out in the 66th minute, ending her shot at a hat trick.
Biyendolo scored off a corner kick in the 60th minute to make it 3-0, just two minutes after she entered the game as a sub, then scored again in the 88th minute.
Photos: US women's soccer team blanks Jamaica in 51黑料
Jamaica's Kayla McKenna shoots during the second half of an international friendly soccer match against the United States Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Kerry Abello in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
Jamaica's Solai Washington and United States' Kerry Abello (24) battle for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Alyssa Thompson in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Ally Sentnor is congratulated by teammate Emily Fox, left, after scoring as Jamaica's Chantelle Swaby, right, walks past during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Sam Coffey brings the ball down the pitch during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Ally Sentnor (9) in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Lily Yohannes pauses during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Ally Sentnor handles the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Alyssa Thompson in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Emily Fox (23) in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Emily Fox in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Alyssa Thompson tries to keep a ball in bounds during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce holds the ball during the second half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Lily Yohannes pauses during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Emily Fox passes during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
Jamaica's Kalyssa Van Zantan in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against the United States Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Kerry Abello (24) passes during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Kerry Abello (24) brings the ball down the pitch during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Catarina Macario in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Alyssa Thompson brings the ball down the pitch during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Kerry Abello in action during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Michelle Cooper (12) and Jamaica's Solai Washington (22) battle for the ball during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Deneisha Blackwood (14) brings the ball down the pitch as United States' Ally Sentnor (9) defends during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
United States' Tara McKeown (5) passes as Jamaica's Shania Hayles (7) defends during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Longtime defender Becky Sauerbrunn, a 51黑料 native who retired from soccer late last year, is honored before the start of an international friendly soccer match between the United States and Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Atlanta Primas (20) and United States' Lindsey Heaps (10) battle for the ball during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Longtime defender Becky Sauerbrunn, a 51黑料 native who retired from soccer late last year, is honored before the start of an international friendly soccer match between the United States and Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Michelle Cooper (12) and Jamaica's Solai Washington (22) battle for the ball during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
Jamaica's Deneisha Blackwood (14) brings the ball down the pitch as United States' Ally Sentnor (9) defends during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
Jamaica's Atlanta Primas (20) and United States' Lindsey Heaps (10) battle for the ball during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Tara McKeown (5) passes as Jamaica's Shania Hayles (7) defends during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Ally Sentnor is congratulated by teammate Emily Fox, left, after scoring as Jamaica's Chantelle Swaby, right, walks past during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
United States' Ally Sentnor, right, is congratulated by teammate Lily Yohannes after scoring during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Chantelle Swaby (4) clears the ball past United States' Catarina Macario (20) during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Allyson Swaby (17) and United States' Catarina Macario (20) challenge for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Amelia Van Zantan (16) and United States' Alyssa Thompson battle for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Longtime defender Becky Sauerbrunn, a 51黑料 native who retired from soccer late last year, is honored before the start of an international friendly soccer match between the United States and Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Solai Washington and United States' Kerry Abello (24) battle for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Amelia Van Zantan and United States' Alyssa Thompson (11) chase after a loose ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Longtime defender Becky Sauerbrunn, a 51黑料 native who retired from soccer late last year, is honored before the start of an international friendly soccer match between the United States and Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Kalyssa Van Zantan, left, and United States' Kerry Abello (24) collide during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Chantelle Swaby (4) clears the ball as United States' Catarina Macario (20) defends during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Longtime defender Becky Sauerbrunn, a 51黑料 native who retired from soccer late last year, is honored before the start of an international friendly soccer match between the United States and Jamaica on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Energizer Park.
Jeff Roberson, Associated Press
Jamaica's Allyson Swaby (17) and United States' Catarina Macario (20) battle for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jeff Roberson
Jamaica's Chantelle Swaby (4) clears the ball past United States' Catarina Macario (20) during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
Jamaica's Amelia Van Zantan and United States' Alyssa Thompson (11) chase after a loose ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
Jamaica's Allyson Swaby (17) and United States' Catarina Macario (20) challenge for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
Jamaica's Allyson Swaby (17) and United States' Catarina Macario (20) battle for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
United States' Ally Sentnor, right, is congratulated by teammate Lily Yohannes after scoring during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in 51黑料.
Jeff Roberson - AP
At 32, midfielder Lo'eau LaBonta finally getting her chance with US women's national team
U.S. midfielder Lo'eau LaBonta (center) goes through a training session on Monday, June 2, 2025, at Energizer Park in preparation for the U.S. game vs. Jamaica. Photo by Tom Timmermann
Tom Timmermann
Lo鈥檈au LaBonta has played in hundreds of soccer games over the years, but when the Kansas City Current midfielder went into the U.S. women鈥檚 national team game with China on Saturday in the 70th minute, it was an all-new experience.
鈥淥h, it was amazing,鈥 she said Monday, standing a short distance from the field at Energizer Park. 鈥淚 was on the bench just cheering on, being the best teammate I could be. They called my name, and I think my heart rate shot up and I was ready to go.鈥
The cause for all the excitement for LaBonta was that getting in that game was the end of a very long wait. At 32 years, two months and 13 days, LaBonta was the oldest player ever to make her debut for the U.S. women鈥檚 team, by more than a year. The player she replaced on the field, Lily Yohannes, is 17, and just past half LaBonta鈥檚 age.
LaBonta could very possibly make her second appearance with the national team Tuesday night, when the United States faces Jamaica in a friendly match. With only two days off between this match and the China match on Friday, coach Emma Hayes figures to make many changes to her lineup.
LaBonta鈥檚 story is one of perseverance. She鈥檚 made provisional rosters, the list of players told to be ready for a possible call-up, for the national team over the run of her 11-year pro career but was never was able to make the final cut and fulfill her dream. Finally she did.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 always a goal, right?鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always there. Maybe I didn鈥檛 think it was going to happen, but I didn鈥檛 stop trying. I didn鈥檛 stop working to be the best that I could. And I think that鈥檚 what the national team is. If you鈥檙e playing, they want the best. So whether I was subconsciously doing it or not, that was always a goal.鈥
鈥淟o鈥檚 situation should serve as a reminder to everyone that we watch every game and that we are invested in what you鈥檙e doing, day in, day out,鈥 said Hayes. 鈥淎ge is just a number, and she鈥檚 fit and she鈥檚 healthy. She鈥檚 someone who鈥檚 always striving, and I鈥檝e heard her speak a number of times. She鈥檚 someone who constantly sees that there鈥檚 room for improvement in what she鈥檚 doing.鈥
Even though she鈥檚 the second-oldest player in this camp, behind only defender Crystal Dunn (who made her 160th appearance on Saturday), LaBonta brings energy. Hayes said that in the internal competitions within the team, LaBonta is among the leaders. She鈥檚 also, along with Dunn, the shortest player on the team at 5-foot-1.
鈥淪he still wants to improve all the time,鈥 Hayes said, 鈥渂ut she鈥檚 come in not just with great humility but a great confidence in herself and what she brings. She鈥檚 soaked up every single minute like it was her last, and her behaviors towards not just herself, but everybody else in the team, I think serves as a great reminder that while it鈥檚 never too late but also that you never stop learning. And she鈥檚 been an unbelievable learner all week with an unbelievable growth mindset. She鈥檚 been absolutely brilliant.鈥
鈥淚 got to where I am because I鈥檓 very competitive,鈥 said LaBonta. 鈥淵ou can clearly see I鈥檓 not the tallest, strongest, fastest, so I鈥檝e had to work the hardest. ... I鈥檓 just trying to soak up everything I can and be competitive as well.鈥
LaBonta has never gotten this much attention in her career, which includes an NCAA championship at Stanford, where she graduated with a degree in engineering. Right now, she鈥檚 the talk of U.S. soccer.
鈥淚t is fascinating,鈥 she said. 鈥淢y dad first said it. He was like, 鈥業鈥檝e never seen someone get so much love.鈥 And then I was like: Oh, but that鈥檚 just a dad. He鈥檚 a fan. Of course, he鈥檚 going to focus on me. But then my husband, who鈥檚 had an international career as well, was like, 鈥楴o, everyone is loving you.鈥 And it鈥檚 a great story, right? Someone finally achieved their dreams this far on. So I have felt it. I鈥檝e loved it. If I haven鈥檛 responded to you yet, I鈥檓 really trying. I鈥檓 just trying to impress Emma first before I get back to your messages. I鈥檝e felt it, and I love it.鈥
And now that she鈥檚 achieved that goal of playing for the national team, she wants more.
鈥淵eah I want more,鈥 she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 going back to the buffet. I want more of that.鈥
The match Tuesday was originally supposed to be against China, which the U.S. beat 3-0 on Saturday, but the Chinese bowed out of the second game in April. Jamaica was picked as a replacement. While Jamaica has gone to the past two women鈥檚 World Cups, it鈥檚 No. 40 in the current FIFA rankings compared to No. 15 for China.
鈥淭he big challenge now is we鈥檝e demonstrated we can do our first game really well in camp,鈥 Hayes said. 鈥淭he challenge is sustaining that level over a 90-minute period in the second game. Now, granted, I鈥檝e made lots of changes from Game 1 to Game 2 as we develop an accumulation of experience for a bigger depth, larger playing pool, but that will be the challenge I set for the team is: I want to see another level in us again over a 90-minute period.鈥
The game is also be a tribute match for former U.S. national team defender and captain Becky Sauerbrunn, the Ladue High graduate who retired at the end of the last NWSL season.
51黑料 City SC's interim coach, David Critchley reacts to first win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Video by Beth O'Malley
After retirement, Ladue鈥檚 Becky Sauerbrunn learns life after soccer still involves soccer
Becky Sauerbrunn figures she became a soccer player, rather than just someone who plays soccer, when she was 14 years old, when she went to her first Olympic development camp and it all became serious. So when she retired from the game in December, at the age of 39, she had spent almost two-thirds of her life in pursuit of the game. It dictated her daily routines, when she woke, what she ate, and larger ones, like when she could go on vacation or what family events she could take part in.
Now, the Ladue High graduate who went on to become one of the best defenders in the history of the U.S. women鈥檚 national team has all the time she needs.
鈥淚t鈥檚 different,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t is a change of pace. But I am really enjoying it. I have been staying busy enough while still getting some really good quality downtime. It鈥檚 nice to be out of the grind a little bit.
鈥淣ot having to do a vacation crammed in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Getting to go to weddings and getting to go home and having a girls weekend. These things I didn鈥檛 get to have for the last two decades. I鈥檓 looking forward to getting to experience that.鈥
Sauerbrunn waited until her NWSL season was over to announce her retirement, which kept the tributes to a minimum, but she will get a formal sendoff from the game on Tuesday when she鈥檚 honored before the U.S. team鈥檚 match with Jamaica at Energizer Park. She was going to be there anyway in her new role as a commentator for broadcasts on TNT, but this will be a chance for everyone to say their goodbyes and pay their respects to her. (And, for the first 2,000 fans at the game, to get a Becky Sauerbrunn bobblehead.)
Sauerbrunn packed a lot into her career. She appeared in 219 games with the national team, the 10-most in the program鈥檚 history, played in three World Cups (and was on track for a fourth before a foot injury knocked her out of the 2023 tournament) and three Olympics. She won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics and won championships at the 2015 and 2019 Women鈥檚 World Cups. And she left a mark on the sport that resonates with her former teammates.
鈥淚 think now getting to go back to her hometown and honor her is so special,鈥 said U.S. defender Naomi Girma, now the team鈥檚 defensive anchor and who, only after making sure it was OK with Sauerbrunn, began to wear the No. 4 that Sauerbrunn wore for years. 鈥淚鈥檓 just honestly excited to see her but also for her to have her moment and get her flowers, which I feel like she doesn鈥檛 allow to happen often, so I鈥檓 happy that she鈥檚 allowing us to honor her. ... (Wearing No. 4) always makes me think of Becky, and she did that number right for many, many years. So I was happy to wear it after her.鈥
鈥淭here are aspects that I absolutely miss,鈥 Sauerbrunn said by phone from her home in Portland, Oregon. 鈥淚 miss the training and just being around the players and the feeling on the field when an exercise is going really well or a passing pattern is really cooking and everyone鈥檚 kind of clicking. I miss that. I miss the feeling at the end of the game when you know you鈥檝e put in a really good shift, and if your team wins, it鈥檚 even better, but just kind of that sense of accomplishment that you get from sport. I鈥檓 trying to find that in other areas of my life.鈥
The foot injury that kept her out of the 2023 Women鈥檚 World Cup, where she again would have captained the team, also cost her most of that season in NWSL play, but in 2024, she was back with her club, the Portland Thorns, and she played in 25 of 26 games. And as the season went on, she started to ponder how much longer she should play.
鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 super clear,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 think had 2023 gone better for me, just on and off the field. I think maybe I could have said goodbye in 2023, but I didn鈥檛 want to say goodbye in the way that it would have been. I wanted one more year to enjoy playing and enjoy my life on and off the field, and so I鈥檓 glad I gave myself that extra year. Could I have squeezed out another season or two? Sure, but I wanted to leave something in the tank. I didn鈥檛 want to be holding on for dear life onto my career. I wanted to still be at a level that I was proud of. And I got to do that in 2024, and so it did seem like the right time, but it wasn鈥檛 crystal clear.鈥
A producer had already been asking Sauerbrunn about doing television, but Sauerbrunn had tabled those conversations. But as soon as she retired, the invitation was extended. Sauerbrunn had already gone through a program organized by the U.S. women鈥檚 national team鈥檚 players association that had put players through some training at USC鈥檚 school of communications, so Sauerbrunn knew what she was getting into. She also had begun doing a podcast, 鈥淭he Women鈥檚 Game,鈥 along with another women鈥檚 team retiree, Sam Mewis, and the still active Lynn Biyendolo. (It was on the podcast that she recently announced she is pregnant.)
Staying around soccer is good for Sauerbrunn because, as she admits, after about 25 years of playing the game, it鈥檚 what she knows best.
鈥淚 feel very underqualified to do most things in the workforce, considering all I鈥檝e ever done is play soccer,鈥 she said.
