Kelley O'Hara
Encyclopedia
Kelley Maureen O'Hara is an American soccer player from Fayetteville, Georgia
. She was a forward for the Stanford
women's soccer team and is a member of the United States U-23 women's national soccer team. She is the recipient of the 2009 Hermann Trophy
. An interesting and little known fact about Kelley is that she comes from a soccer family, with a brother Jerry and a sister, Erin, who all grew up scrimmaging in the yard together. Their father would place them in a square box and have them play 1 v 1 v 1 which all three claim is the secret to their miraculous touch. After a stint in Athens, Erin has traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to ignite her career as a starting defender for the JFTB club.
During O'Hara's junior year Stanford advanced to the College Cup
for the first time since 1993, defeating 2005 national champion Portland
, 1–0. The Cardinal would fall in the semifinal, 0–1, to Notre Dame
.
O'Hara's senior year ended in the 2009 College Cup
, where the Cardinal lost to North Carolina
. O'Hara received two yellow cards in the second half, ejecting her from the game, forcing the Cardinal to finish the game a man down. The game ended with a score of 1–0, thus marking North Carolina's twentieth National Championship. At the end of her collegiate career, O'Hara had scored a total of 57 goals for the Cardinal, second all-time in program history.
O'Hara was awarded the 2009 Hermann Trophy
, selected ahead of Olympic gold medalists Lauren Cheney
and Tobin Heath
. She had been on the MAC Hermann Trophy watch list for three consecutive seasons.
that competed in the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship
in Russia
. O'Hara scored two goals in the tournament: one against the Congo
(for which game she was named FIFA
's player of the match) and one against Germany
. She was also the first player in the tournament to be ejected from a game, having picked up two yellow cards
in the game against Argentina
. After 2006, the only American players from that U-20 team still eligible for the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
were O'Hara, Tobin Heath
, and Casey Nogueira
.
O'Hara would rejoin the U-20s at the 2007 Pan American Games
. She scored four goals in the women's football tournament
, against Paraguay
, Panama
, and Mexico
. The United States, which only sent their U-20
women to the tournament, would fall in the final game, 0–5, to a full-strength Brazilian senior team
featuring Marta.
In February 2008, O'Hara returned to the U-20 women's national team
with Cardinal teammate Teresa Noyola
to play in the U-20 Four Nations Tournament in Chile
. Her last appearance for the U-20s would be in July 2008, at the 2008 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship
in Puebla, Mexico
. Joined by Nogueira, the only other veteran of the 2006 U-20 World Cup
still age-eligible and available (Heath had been named to the senior team
for the 2008 Olympic Games), O'Hara helped the U-20 team qualify for the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
in Chile
. The United States would lose in the final to Canada. O'Hara did not play in the U-20 World Cup that she helped the United States qualify for, instead remaining with her college team in its NCAA postseason campaign.
She was called into the senior national team
's training camp in December 2009 and attended the January 2010 training camp in the lead-up to the 2010 Algarve Cup
. O'Hara earned her first senior national team cap in March 2010, coming in as a substitute during a friendly match against Mexico
.
Currently, O'Hara is part of the United States Women's National Team player pool.
of the USL W-League in the summer of 2009, scoring four goals during her tenure with the club.
O'Hara was drafted third overall by FC Gold Pride
at the 2010 WPS Draft
. In addition to the close proximity of home stadium Pioneer Stadium
to O'Hara's alma mater Stanford University
, O'Hara had previously worked with FC Gold Pride
head coach Albertin Montoya
when he served as an assistant coach at Stanford University
in 2008.
After FC Gold Pride folded in November 2010, O'Hara was signed by the Boston Breakers.
Fayetteville, Georgia
Fayetteville is a town in Fayette County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 15,945. The city is the county seat of Fayette County. Fayetteville is located approximately 22 miles from the city of Atlanta....
. She was a forward for the Stanford
Stanford Cardinal
The Stanford Cardinal is the nickname of the athletic teams at Stanford University.-Nickname and mascot history:Following its win over Cal in the first-ever Big Game in 1892, the color cardinal was picked as the primary color of Stanford's athletic teams...
women's soccer team and is a member of the United States U-23 women's national soccer team. She is the recipient of the 2009 Hermann Trophy
Hermann Trophy
The Hermann Trophy is awarded annually by the Missouri Athletic Club to the United States's top male and female college soccer players.-History:...
. An interesting and little known fact about Kelley is that she comes from a soccer family, with a brother Jerry and a sister, Erin, who all grew up scrimmaging in the yard together. Their father would place them in a square box and have them play 1 v 1 v 1 which all three claim is the secret to their miraculous touch. After a stint in Athens, Erin has traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to ignite her career as a starting defender for the JFTB club.
College career
A two-time Parade All-American coming into her freshman year at Stanford, O'Hara led the Cardinal in scoring in 2006 with nine goals; she repeated that feat in her sophomore year, helping the Cardinal to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.During O'Hara's junior year Stanford advanced to the College Cup
NCAA Women's Soccer Championship
NCAA Women's Soccer Championships are divided into three divisions. This article lists NCAA Women's soccer championships.-Division I:The NCAA began conducting a Women's Division I Soccer Championship tournament in 1982 with a 12-team tournament...
for the first time since 1993, defeating 2005 national champion Portland
Portland Pilots (NCAA)
The Portland Pilots is the nickname for athletics at the University of Portland. The Pilots compete in the West Coast Conference at the NCAA's Division I level.-History:...
, 1–0. The Cardinal would fall in the semifinal, 0–1, to Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame's nickname is inherited from Irish immigrant soldiers who fought in the Civil War with the Union's Irish Brigade, , recollected among other places in the poetry of Joyce Kilmer who served with one of the Irish Brigade regiments during World War I...
.
O'Hara's senior year ended in the 2009 College Cup
NCAA Women's Soccer Championship
NCAA Women's Soccer Championships are divided into three divisions. This article lists NCAA Women's soccer championships.-Division I:The NCAA began conducting a Women's Division I Soccer Championship tournament in 1982 with a 12-team tournament...
, where the Cardinal lost to North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels women's soccer
The North Carolina Tar Heels women's soccer team represent the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I soccer...
. O'Hara received two yellow cards in the second half, ejecting her from the game, forcing the Cardinal to finish the game a man down. The game ended with a score of 1–0, thus marking North Carolina's twentieth National Championship. At the end of her collegiate career, O'Hara had scored a total of 57 goals for the Cardinal, second all-time in program history.
O'Hara was awarded the 2009 Hermann Trophy
Hermann Trophy
The Hermann Trophy is awarded annually by the Missouri Athletic Club to the United States's top male and female college soccer players.-History:...
, selected ahead of Olympic gold medalists Lauren Cheney
Lauren Cheney
Lauren Nicole Cheney is an American soccer player and member of the United States women's national soccer team. She is currently a forward for Women's Professional Soccer's Boston Breakers.-Career:...
and Tobin Heath
Tobin Heath
Tobin Powell Heath is an American soccer player, an Olympic Gold medalist, and a FIFA Women's World Cup Finalist. According to United States Soccer Federation, Heath is "perhaps the USA's most skillful player" and is "one of the team's best and most crafty dribblers"...
. She had been on the MAC Hermann Trophy watch list for three consecutive seasons.
National Team career
O'Hara was a member of the fourth-place United States U-20 women's national soccer teamUnited States U-20 women's national soccer team
The United States U-20 women's national soccer team is a youth soccer team operated under the auspices of U.S. Soccer. Its primary role is the development of players in preparation for the full Women's National Team. The team's most recent major tournament was the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World...
that competed in the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship
2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship
The 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship was held in Russia from 17 August to 3 September 2006. It was the officially recognized world championship for women's under-20 national football teams...
in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. O'Hara scored two goals in the tournament: one against the Congo
Congo DR women's national football team
The Congo DR women's national football team is the national women's football team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is overseen by the Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association . As of March 2011 they are currently ranked 106th in the world.-External links:*...
(for which game she was named FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
's player of the match) and one against Germany
Germany women's national football team
The German women's national football team represents Germany in international women's football and is directed by the German Football Association . The team – informally called West Germany in English – played its first international match in 1982...
. She was also the first player in the tournament to be ejected from a game, having picked up two yellow cards
Penalty card
A penalty card is used in many sports as a means of warning, reprimanding or penalising a player, coach or team official. Penalty cards are most commonly used by referees or umpires to indicate that a player has committed an offense. The referee will hold the card above his or her head while...
in the game against Argentina
Argentina women's national football team
The Argentina women's national football team represents Argentina in international women's football. Since there is no professional league in Argentina, almost all its members are amateur players....
. After 2006, the only American players from that U-20 team still eligible for the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
The 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup was held in Chile between November 19 and December 7, 2008. Sixteen teams, comprising representatives from all six confederations, took part in the final competition, in which Chile had a guaranteed place as the host nation....
were O'Hara, Tobin Heath
Tobin Heath
Tobin Powell Heath is an American soccer player, an Olympic Gold medalist, and a FIFA Women's World Cup Finalist. According to United States Soccer Federation, Heath is "perhaps the USA's most skillful player" and is "one of the team's best and most crafty dribblers"...
, and Casey Nogueira
Casey Nogueira
Casey Nicole Nogueira is a U.S. soccer midfielder who currently plays for the professional Sky Blue FC. She has earned one cap with the United States women's national soccer team in 2007 and was a member of the U.S. U-20 women's team at the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship and the 2007...
.
O'Hara would rejoin the U-20s at the 2007 Pan American Games
2007 Pan American Games
The 2007 Pan American Games, officially known as the XV Pan American Games, were a major continental multi-sport event that took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 13 to July 29, 2007. A total of 5,633 athletes from 42 National Olympic Committees competed in 332 events in 34 sports and in...
. She scored four goals in the women's football tournament
Football at the 2007 Pan American Games
The football tournaments at the 15th Pan American Games were held in Rio de Janeiro in July 2007. The fifteenth edition of the men's competition was played by 12 teams, while the third edition of the women's tournament was played by 10 countries....
, against Paraguay
Paraguay women's national football team
The Paraguay women's national football team represents Paraguay in international women's football.-World Cup record:-Olympic Games record:*1996 to 2008: Did not qualify-Panamerican Games record:*Winnipeg 99: Did not enter...
, Panama
Panama women's national football team
The Panama women's national football team is the national women's football team of Panama and is overseen by the Federación Panameña de Fútbol.-World Cup record:-CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup record:-References:**...
, and Mexico
Mexico women's national football team
The Mexico women's national football team represents Mexico in international women's football competition and is controlled by the Mexican Football Federation. In the 1970s, the team gained popularity, with Mexico finishing 3rd in a unofficial Women's World Cup held in Italy...
. The United States, which only sent their U-20
United States U-20 women's national soccer team
The United States U-20 women's national soccer team is a youth soccer team operated under the auspices of U.S. Soccer. Its primary role is the development of players in preparation for the full Women's National Team. The team's most recent major tournament was the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World...
women to the tournament, would fall in the final game, 0–5, to a full-strength Brazilian senior team
Brazil women's national football team
The Brazil women's national football team represents Brazil in international women's association football. Brazil played their first game on July 22, 1986 against the United States....
featuring Marta.
In February 2008, O'Hara returned to the U-20 women's national team
United States U-20 women's national soccer team
The United States U-20 women's national soccer team is a youth soccer team operated under the auspices of U.S. Soccer. Its primary role is the development of players in preparation for the full Women's National Team. The team's most recent major tournament was the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World...
with Cardinal teammate Teresa Noyola
Teresa Noyola
Teresa Noyola Bayardo is a Mexican-American soccer player from Palo Alto, California. She is a midfielder for the Stanford University women's soccer team and the Mexico women's national football team....
to play in the U-20 Four Nations Tournament in Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
. Her last appearance for the U-20s would be in July 2008, at the 2008 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship
2008 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship
The 2008 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship was the 2008 championship for Under-20 women's national football teams from the CONCACAF region. The tournament doubled as the qualification tournament for the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup for the CONCACAF region. The tournament was played entirely...
in Puebla, Mexico
Puebla, Mexico
Puebla, Mexico, may refer to:*Puebla, one of the 32 component federal entities of the United Mexican States*Puebla, Puebla, capital city of that state...
. Joined by Nogueira, the only other veteran of the 2006 U-20 World Cup
2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship
The 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship was held in Russia from 17 August to 3 September 2006. It was the officially recognized world championship for women's under-20 national football teams...
still age-eligible and available (Heath had been named to the senior team
United States women's national soccer team
The United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
for the 2008 Olympic Games), O'Hara helped the U-20 team qualify for the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
The 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup was held in Chile between November 19 and December 7, 2008. Sixteen teams, comprising representatives from all six confederations, took part in the final competition, in which Chile had a guaranteed place as the host nation....
in Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
. The United States would lose in the final to Canada. O'Hara did not play in the U-20 World Cup that she helped the United States qualify for, instead remaining with her college team in its NCAA postseason campaign.
She was called into the senior national team
United States women's national soccer team
The United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
's training camp in December 2009 and attended the January 2010 training camp in the lead-up to the 2010 Algarve Cup
Algarve Cup
The Algarve Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's football . Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious women's football events, alongside the Women's World Cup and Women's Olympic Football...
. O'Hara earned her first senior national team cap in March 2010, coming in as a substitute during a friendly match against Mexico
Mexico women's national football team
The Mexico women's national football team represents Mexico in international women's football competition and is controlled by the Mexican Football Federation. In the 1970s, the team gained popularity, with Mexico finishing 3rd in a unofficial Women's World Cup held in Italy...
.
Currently, O'Hara is part of the United States Women's National Team player pool.
Professional career
Prior to graduating from Stanford, O'Hara played for the Pali BluesPali Blues
Pali Blues is an American women’s soccer team, founded in 2008. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada...
of the USL W-League in the summer of 2009, scoring four goals during her tenure with the club.
O'Hara was drafted third overall by FC Gold Pride
FC Gold Pride
FC Gold Pride was an American professional soccer club based in Santa Clara, California which participated in Women's Professional Soccer. The club replaced the San Jose CyberRays of the defunct Women's United Soccer Association as the top-level women's soccer team in the San Francisco Bay Area...
at the 2010 WPS Draft
2010 WPS Draft
The 2010 WPS College Draft took place on January 15, 2010. It was the second college draft held by Women's Professional Soccer to assign the WPS rights of college players to the American-based teams.-Format:...
. In addition to the close proximity of home stadium Pioneer Stadium
Pioneer Stadium
Pioneer Stadium is a stadium in Hayward, California. It currently hosts the California State University, East Bay Pioneers soccer and track & field teams. The stadium briefly hosted FC Gold Pride of the Women's Professional Soccer league, until the team was disbanded in November 2010..-External...
to O'Hara's alma mater Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, O'Hara had previously worked with FC Gold Pride
FC Gold Pride
FC Gold Pride was an American professional soccer club based in Santa Clara, California which participated in Women's Professional Soccer. The club replaced the San Jose CyberRays of the defunct Women's United Soccer Association as the top-level women's soccer team in the San Francisco Bay Area...
head coach Albertin Montoya
Albertin Montoya
Albertin Montoya is a retired American soccer midfielder who last played for the San Jose Clash. He is currently the head coach of United States women's national under-17 soccer team....
when he served as an assistant coach at Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
in 2008.
After FC Gold Pride folded in November 2010, O'Hara was signed by the Boston Breakers.