Kelley O’Hara will be playing in her fourth World Cup with the U.S. women’s national team, she revealed Wednesday morning on the Today show. But this tournament feels just as special as the first for the 34-year-old defender.
O’Hara and her Gotham FC teammates Lynn Williams and Kristie Mewis became the first players officially named to the USWNT squad for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand via the announcement on the morning show in New York City.
O’Hara, who has struggled in the last year with nagging injuries, cried when she got the call about the roster spot, she said during the televised segment.
“Honestly, it felt like I was getting called for the first time to go to a World Cup,” O’Hara said. “I’m so excited. This is my fourth one, but when I got the news I honestly broke out in tears I was so excited.”
For Mewis and Williams, this World Cup will be their first with the USWNT.
“It feels really good, I’m so excited,” Mewis said. “I’m honestly so excited to have these two (Williams and O’Hara) with me. They’ve been my rock through this whole journey.”
Williams shared her teammates’ sentiments.
“I cried as well,” she said. “We train so long and we fight so hard to do this, so it means everything to me.”
“There’s no player in the world that can match @kelleymohara’s mentality, especially in big tournaments.”📱 The Call, presented by @att pic.twitter.com/Bu5JCYt3Kn— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 22, 2023
“There’s no player in the world that can match @kelleymohara’s mentality, especially in big tournaments.”📱 The Call, presented by @att pic.twitter.com/Bu5JCYt3Kn