The GIST: USWNT veteran defender and former captain Becky Sauerbrunn is retiring from professional soccer, effective immediately, as announced yesterday. Let’s take a look at her illustrious career through some key numbers to celebrate the consistent defensive queen. Cue the tears.
219: Sauerbrunn accumulated 219 caps (appearances) for the USWNT during her 16-year international career. She bows out as one of the longest-serving players in the national team’s history, making her debut in 2008. Now that’s what we call longevity.
2: Sauerbrunn clinched two FIFA Women’s World Cups (2015, 2019), in addition to one Olympic gold (2012) and one bronze (2021). Notable is her full game play in the USWNT’s dominant 2015 Cup triumph.
0: Despite being a stalwart in defense, Sauerbrunn never managed to score a goal for the national team, holding the record for most caps without a goal. She had other priorities, okay?
4: The center back was honored as NWSL Defender of the Year four times and participated in every season of the league, capturing three championships over an 11-year period.
Unquantifiable: Beyond her prowess on the field, Sauerbrunn will be remembered for her unwavering dedication to social justice, notably her involvement in the equal pay fight for the USWNT and consistent advocacy for the transgender community and racial equality. There’s no one quite like her.
