Gotham FC celebrated Kelley O'Hara during the regular season home finale

On Sunday, NJ/NY Gotham FC won their final home match of the NWSL regular season. The Bats will host a home playoff game, so they will be back at Red Bull Arena when the postseason begins. However, the focus will be on the playoffs. That is why the club celebrated the fans and Kelley O'Hara during the win against the Orlando Pride.

In case one lives under a rock, O'Hara is retiring at the end of the season. Sadly, she has played her final game though, for her knee will not allow her to play anymore.

The Gotham FC defender has had a great career and has made an impact along the way. Hence, many former players from past teams and the USWNT were in New Jersey. If other NWSL teams did not have matches that weekend, then surely more current stars would have also been there to celebrate.

Gotham FC celebrated Kelley O'Hara

Of course, O'Hara's return to Gotham meant so much to the fans. She was originally a part of the team when it was Sky Blue FC from 2013 through 2017. So, when she signed on for the 2023 season after the Bats' dreadful 2022 last-place finish, it spoke volumes. The defender was willing to take a risk and join a team that was trying to climb out from the ashes.

Subsequently, everything worked out in the end, for the team won the NWSL Championship last year. Injuries might have derailed this season more than the previous one, but she is still a part of their best regular season in the NWSL.

So, Gotham FC made Sunday a day about O'Hara. Fans could leave messages before the game and grab their gear to celebrate the 36-year-old. Some of her family, friends, and former teammates joined her on the pitch as they took in the scene.

After the match, the focus went entirely to O'Hara. The Bats had a video ready to go to show some of the versatile player's best moments during her career. Then, the club's main owner Carolyn Tisch Blodgett and head coach Juan Carlos Amorós spoke about her. She was also gifted flowers, a sweatshirt, and more.

O'Hara's speech stole the show though. She spoke about her career and what the game gave her. She focused on those she wanted to thank, including Gotham and her family. She became extremely emotional at the end, and rightfully so. She is saying goodbye to her life as a player. It does not mean she will not be around the soccer world, but this is one part of her life she is closing the door on.

The ceremony was perfect for O'Hara. She got to celebrate with people she loves while also watching her team beat the best side in the NWSL. The celebrations are not yet done, but the USWNT will honor her during their game in Nashville this Sunday.

Gotham FC and all of women's soccer will miss O'Hara. It was great she could be celebrated and honored before the end of the year.