[quote_box_center]“For every athlete, having to walk away one day is an inevitable certainty. This is the right decision for me right now, and though
[quote_box_center]“For every athlete, having to walk away one day is an inevitable certainty. This is the right decision for me right now, and though I’ll continue on with the USWNT and our victory tour, I look forward to the next chapter in my life. Having the time to focus more on my family, whose support has made everything possible, is something I will cherish as much as the game.”[/quote_box_center]
SAN DIEGO – On July 27th Shannon Boxx announced her retirement from the National Women’s Soccer League. The USWNT and Chicago Red Stars midfielder won her first FIFA Women’s World Cup tittle this summer after playing the tournament since the 2003 edition, which includes her debut with the national team.
[quote_box_center]“I loved every Olympics and each of the golds was amazing, but the World Cup is simply the biggest stage you can play on,” said the midfielder. “We were trying to win it for the entire twelve years I’ve been on the national team, and it seemed to be the one thing I just couldn’t accomplish. To finally be able to get that was really, really great. My journey back to that level was a very difficult one, and knowing I managed to overcome the obstacles to make the team and help win a championship feels amazing.”[/quote_box_center]
Boxx said the main reason for her retirement is that she wants to be closer to her baby and her husband. She has played for nearly 200 games with the U.S. national team and feels it is about time. Her last game appearances will be in the celebration victory tour around the country coming next month.
The 38 year old who is from Fontana, California started playing soccer at a young age from U12 to U18 with Torrance United Waves Soccer Club in her hometown leading the team to 4 State Cup Championships and 2 USYSA National Championship finals with the U17 and U19.
Boxx attended South Torrance High School where she played 4 sports: soccer, volleyball, softball and basketball. She attended Notre Dame and helped the team win its first NCAA Championship. She was named to All-Big East for 3 years and played the most soccer games, 101, at Notre Dame
As far as her professional career, Boxx has an impressive 16 year career having played for FC Saarbrucken from Germany in the Bundesliga, as well as in 3 different leagues in the United States. She started in the WUSA with San Diego Spirit and New York Power, then later in the WPS with Los Angeles Sol, Saint Louis Athletica, FC Gold Pride and MagicJack, and afer that when the NWSL was created she joined the Chicago Red Stars in 2013 where she had been since then.
We will all miss watching Shannon Boxx on the field, but she can definitely walk away knowing she left a legacy and a decorated career.
[quote_box_center]“Thank you to all of the fans that have supported me over the years, and to the cities – Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, Bay Area, West Palm Beach, Saint Louis and Chicago – for the opportunity to play the game that I love.”[/quote_box_center]
