SANDY, UTAH (Monday, September 23, 2019) – Utah Royals FC DF Kelley O’Hara has been named to the 2019 FIFPro Women’s World XI, selected as one of the world’s top defenders by 3,500 fellow elite soccer players across the globe.
“Congratulationsto Kelley, what an honor,” General Manager Stephanie Lee said. “We have known all along what a dynamic and impactful player Kelley is – we are happy the world knows now as well.”
O’Hara joins Julie Ertz of the Chicago Red Stars, Rose Lavelle of the Washington Spirit, Alex Morgan of the Orlando Pride and Megan Rapinoe of Reign FC in representing America on the World XI.
The selection to the World XI marks the first for the defender since the award’s inception in 2015 and the first individual honor for O’Hara, in respect to her time with the national team, since she was chosen as the 2009 U.S. Soccer Young Player of the Year.
This year O’Hara has been a staple for the U.S. Women’s National Team backline, appearing in 13 of 20 matches thus far and having only missed matches due to an ankle injury. During the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup O’Hara started six of the seven matches and recorded two assists.
The Georgia native has played in 124 matches for the Red, White and Blue and tallied two goals and 17 assists in her national team career. Additionally, she was a part of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup championship team, as well as the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad that placed second in the tournament and the 2012 and 2016 Olympic squads.
