Kelley O’Hara will help bolster Washington’s defense. (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)
BOYDS, Md. – The Washington Spirit Wednesday acquired two-time Women’s World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist Kelley O’Hara from the Utah Royals.
In the trade, Utah received $75,000 in allocation money plus additional consideration contingent on the number of National Women’s Soccer League regular season matches the defender will play for the Spirit in 2021.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to get Kelley O’Hara to our club. Kelley adds world-class quality to our current squad and is a fantastic addition to our young team,” Spirit head coach Richie Burke said in a statement. “As a World Cup winner and FIFPro World XI player, we have added some valuable experience. More importantly, we’ve added another player who has a winning mentality, and someone who will contribute enormously to our team environment. I’m excited to get started with Kelley as soon as possible and can’t wait to integrate her into our club.”
O’Hara spent the last three seasons with the Royals. In 2020, she participated in two NWSL Challenge Cup matches playing 64 minutes. During the 2018 and 2019 seasons, she made 12 appearances for the club and scored one goal. She was selected to the NWSL Best XI first team in 2019. Prior to her time in Utah, O’Hara spent five seasons with Sky Blue FC, where she appeared in 75 games and scored 15 goals.
“I am ecstatic to join the Washington Spirit,” O’Hara said in a statement. “It has always been a dream of mine to be able to play in the city I call home. This is a young and exciting team with lots of potential and I am looking forward to providing veteran experience to the squad. I can’t wait to get to work on the field with the team and Richie, and to be able to make an impact off the field in the community. I want to bring a championship to Spirit fans and the District, and make soccer this city’s favorite sport.”
A member of the U.S. women’s national team, O’Hara competed in three World Cups – 2011, 2015 and 2019. She has made 131 appearances scoring two goals and adding 19 assists. She was named to the FIFPro Women’s World XI after her performance in the 2019 World Cup. O’Hara also won an Olympic gold medal in 2012.
