History of Kelley O'Hara in Timeline
Kelley O'Hara is a highly decorated American soccer player known for her time with the U.S. women's national team and Gotham FC. She's a two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist. While primarily playing defense later in her career, she exhibited versatility by starting as a forward in college and occasionally taking on attacking roles professionally.
August 4, 1988: Birth of Kelley O'Hara
Kelley Maureen O'Hara was born on August 4, 1988 in Fayetteville, Georgia.
1993: Stanford Returns to the College Cup
In O'Hara's junior year (2008), the Stanford women's soccer team reached the College Cup for the first time since 1993.
2004: O'Hara Joins US U-16 Team
In 2004, Kelley O'Hara began playing for the United States U-16 women's national soccer team.
2005: Stanford Defeats Portland
During O'Hara's junior year at Stanford, the Cardinal defeated the 2005 national champion Portland on their way to the College Cup.
2006: 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship
In 2006, Kelley O'Hara was a member of the United States U-20 women's national soccer team that competed in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship in Russia. She scored two goals and was named FIFA's player of the match for her performance against Congo.
2006: O'Hara's High School Success
Kelley O'Hara helped lead Starr's Mill High School to the 5A state title in 2006, scoring 20 goals and providing 16 assists during the season. She was named the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Player of the Year, Gatorade Georgia State Player of the Year, and NSCAA All-American.
2006: O'Hara's Freshman and Sophomore Years at Stanford
Kelley O'Hara led the Stanford Cardinal women's soccer team in scoring during both her freshman and sophomore years (2006 and 2007), leading the team to the third round of the NCAA Tournament in her sophomore year.
2007: 2007 Pan American Games
In 2007, Kelley O'Hara rejoined the U-20 national team at the Pan American Games, scoring four goals in the women's football tournament. The U.S. team fell to the Brazilian senior team in the final.
2007: Concorde Fire South Wins State Cup
Kelley O'Hara's club team, Concorde Fire South '88 Elite, won the 2007 GA U19G State Cup and advanced to the semifinals of Regionals.
February 2008: U-20 Four Nations Tournament
In February 2008, Kelley O'Hara returned to the U-20 women's national team to play in the U-20 Four Nations Tournament in Chile.
July 2008: 2008 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship
In July 2008, Kelley O'Hara played in the 2008 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship in Puebla, Mexico, helping the U.S. team qualify for the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.
2008: Montoya Coaches O'Hara at Stanford
Albertin Montoya, who would later become O'Hara's coach at FC Gold Pride, served as an assistant coach at Stanford University in 2008.
December 2009: Senior National Team Training Camp
In December 2009, Kelley O'Hara was called into the senior national team's training camp.
2009: O'Hara Wins Hermann Trophy
Kelley O'Hara received the prestigious Hermann Trophy in 2009, recognizing her as the top collegiate soccer player.
2009: O'Hara Wins Hermann Trophy
In 2009, Kelley O'Hara received the Hermann Trophy, awarded to the best collegiate soccer player in the United States.
2009: O'Hara's Dominant Senior Year and College Cup Loss
Kelley O'Hara had a standout senior year at Stanford, recording 26 goals and 13 assists. Despite her performance, the Cardinal lost to North Carolina in the 2009 College Cup final after O'Hara received two yellow cards and was ejected from the game.
2009: O'Hara Plays for Pali Blues
Before graduating from Stanford, Kelley O'Hara played for the Pali Blues in the USL W-League during the summer of 2009, scoring four goals for the team.
January 2010: Senior Team January Training Camp
Kelley O'Hara attended the senior national team's training camp in January 2010 in preparation for the Algarve Cup.
March 2010: First Senior National Team Cap
In March 2010, Kelley O'Hara earned her first senior national team cap during a friendly match against Mexico, coming in as a substitute.
November 2010: O'Hara Joins Boston Breakers
Following the closure of FC Gold Pride, Kelley O'Hara signed with the Boston Breakers in November 2010.
November 16, 2010: FC Gold Pride Ceases Operations
Despite winning the WPS Championship, FC Gold Pride ceased operations on November 16, 2010, due to financial difficulties.
2010: O'Hara Drafted by FC Gold Pride
Kelley O'Hara was selected third overall by FC Gold Pride in the 2010 WPS Draft.
May 14, 2011: World Cup Roster Inclusion
On May 14, 2011, Kelley O'Hara was called up to replace Lindsay Tarpley, who tore her ACL, for the 21-player World Cup roster. O'Hara earned one cap against Sweden in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.
2011: O'Hara's First World Cup Appearance
Kelley O'Hara made her first appearance in the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2011.
January 5, 2012: O'Hara Signs with Atlanta Beat
On January 5, 2012, Kelley O'Hara signed with her hometown team, the Atlanta Beat. However, the league folded before the start of the 2012 season.
January 22, 2012: First Start at Left Back
On January 22, 2012, Kelley O'Hara made her first start at left back against Guatemala in the Olympic Qualifiers, registering three assists. She also started at right back against Costa Rica, helping the U.S. qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
2012: Olympic Gold for O'Hara
Kelley O'Hara played every minute of the 2012 Olympics Women's Football Tournament, helping the United States win the gold medal.
January 11, 2013: O'Hara Joins Sky Blue FC
Kelley O'Hara joined Sky Blue FC in the newly formed National Women's Soccer League on January 11, 2013.
2015: Commercials and Advertisements
In 2015, Kelley O'Hara appeared in multiple commercials and advertisements for Under Armour and the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board.
2015: 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup
In 2015, Kelley O'Hara made her first start of the Women's World Cup in the quarter-final against China PR. She scored her first international goal in the semi-final against Germany. The U.S. won the final against Japan, securing their third World Cup title.
2015: O'Hara's Second World Cup Appearance
Kelley O'Hara participated in her second FIFA Women's World Cup in 2015.
2016: O'Hara Competes in the 2016 Olympics
Kelley O'Hara was part of the United States Women's National Soccer Team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
December 29, 2017: O'Hara Traded to Utah Royals FC
Kelley O'Hara was traded to Utah Royals FC on December 29, 2017.
May 2018: O'Hara Scores in Utah's First Franchise Win
Kelley O'Hara scored a goal in Utah Royals FC's 2-0 victory over the Washington Spirit in May 2018, contributing to the team's first-ever franchise win.
2018: O'Hara Undergoes Ankle Surgery
Following the 2018 NWSL season, Kelley O'Hara had ankle surgery.
2019: O'Hara Named to NWSL Second XI
Despite limited appearances due to injuries and World Cup duties, Kelley O'Hara was named to the 2019 NWSL Second XI.
2019: 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup
In 2019, Kelley O'Hara played in five of the U.S.'s seven World Cup games, making significant contributions, including two assists. The U.S. won the World Cup final against the Netherlands 2–0, earning O'Hara her second World Cup title.
2019: O'Hara Competes in FIFA Women's World Cup, Resides in Washington, D.C.
In 2019, O'Hara was one of many out LGBT athletes to compete in the FIFA Women's World Cup in France. During her off-season, she resides with her partner, Kameryn Stanhouse, in Washington, D.C.
2019: O'Hara's Third World Cup Appearance
Kelley O'Hara played in her third FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019.
August 2020: Trade Rumors and Opt-Out
Rumors of a potential trade to the Washington Spirit involving Kelley O'Hara began circulating in August 2020. O'Hara subsequently announced her decision to opt out of the 2020 NWSL Fall Series.
December 2, 2020: Trade to the Washington Spirit
On December 2, 2020, Kelley O'Hara's trade to the Washington Spirit was officially announced. The deal involved $75,000 in allocation money and a 2022 first-round draft pick sent to the Utah Royals. O'Hara requested the move to be in the same city as her partner.
2020: O'Hara's Final Olympic Appearance
Kelley O'Hara competed in her third Olympic Games in Tokyo, marking her final appearance at the Olympics.
2020: O'Hara's Limited Playing Time
Kelley O'Hara's playing time was limited in the shortened 2020 NWSL season as she continued to recover from an injury.
November 20, 2021: First NWSL Championship with Spirit
On November 20, 2021, the Washington Spirit won their first NWSL Championship by defeating the Chicago Red Stars 2–1 in extra time. Kelley O'Hara scored the winning goal in the 97th minute.
2022: O'Hara Gets Engaged to Kameryn Stanhouse
O'Hara and Stanhouse got engaged on New Year's Eve 2022 and announced it on Instagram.
January 25, 2023: Signing with NJ/NY Gotham FC
On January 25, 2023, NJ/NY Gotham FC officially announced the signing of Kelley O'Hara. This move made her the first NWSL player to sign with a new team in free agency.
June 21, 2023: 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Squad Announcement
On June 21, 2023, Kelley O'Hara was named to the United States squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia, marking her fourth World Cup tournament.
August 9, 2023: Final Episode of The Players' Pod
On August 9, 2023, the final episode of Kelley O'Hara's podcast, The Players' Pod, was posted. The podcast aimed to provide candid conversations about the lives of athletes, especially female athletes.
2023: O'Hara's Fourth World Cup Appearance
In 2023, Kelley O'Hara made her fourth appearance at the FIFA Women's World Cup.
April 23, 2024: O'Hara Announces Executive Producer Role for "Ripe!"
On April 23, 2024, Kelley O'Hara shared that she is one of the executive producers of "Ripe!", a queer short film about two young women who develop feelings for each other.
May 2, 2024: O'Hara Announces Retirement
On May 2, 2024, Kelley O'Hara announced her decision to retire from professional soccer at the conclusion of the 2024 NWSL season.
June 9, 2024: "Ripe!" Premieres at Tribeca Film Festival
On June 9, 2024, "Ripe!", a short film celebrating LGBTQIA+ identities and shedding queer shame, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. O'Hara is one of the film's executive producers.