Meghan Klingenberg, World Cup Champion from Pittsburgh, Announces Retirement
Meghan Klingenberg, a prominent figure in women's soccer and a native of Pittsburgh, confirmed her retirement from the sport on Wednesday through an open letter shared on her and U.S. Soccer's Instagram accounts.
"This sport has been the stage of a lifetime," Klingenberg expressed in her heartfelt message. "It gave me the chance to test myself, expand my world, and discover who the f**k I could become. I've grown in ways that are so unexpected."
At 36 years old, Klingenberg's journey began at Pine Richland High School, where she earned All-American honors and led her team to consecutive state championships in 2005 and 2006. Her talent propelled her to the University of North Carolina, where she contributed to two national championships and netted 18 goals.
Her involvement with the U.S. National Program started early, as she played for various youth teams including U-16, U-17, U-20, and U-23. In 2011, she received her first call-up to the senior national team for the Four Nations Tournament, marking the beginning of her international career.
By 2013, Klingenberg was officially part of the senior squad. She played a crucial role in the U.S. Women's National Team's triumph at the 2015 World Cup, participating in every match during their victorious campaign.
Upon returning home from the World Cup victory tour, Klingenberg made a memorable appearance at Acrisure Stadium (formerly Heinz Field) during a friendly against Costa Rica, where she scored a goal and celebrated with a wave of the Terrible Towel.
Her achievements extended beyond international play; Klingenberg also found success in the National Women's Soccer League with the Portland Thorns, winning two championships and starting 135 out of 149 matches while accumulating over 11,600 minutes on the field.
"Now, I feel full, grateful, at peace," she stated in her letter. "It's time for something new to excite me the way soccer always has. Because the purpose hasn't changed, just the stage."
