USWNT’s Samantha Mewis Announces Retirement From Soccer

The veteran midfielder has been battling knee injuries.

Veteran U.S. women’s national team midfielder Sam Mewis announced Friday morning she is retiring from soccer due to lingering effects from knee injuries.

“Unfortunately, my knee can no longer tolerate the impact that elite soccer requires,” Mewis said in a statement. “Though this isn't what I wanted, it’s clear that this is the only path forward for me.”

Mewis was a star at every level of soccer in which she played, first at UCLA, then in the NWSL for three different teams. She ends her NWSL career with 21 goals in 94 games and as a three-time champion, twice with the North Carolina Courage and once with the now-defunct Western New York Flash.

Thank you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PJL2tPFZvt

— Samantha Mewis (@sammymewy) January 19, 2024

The 31-year-old was also a fixture on the USWNT, playing in four SheBelieves Cups, one World Cup and one Olympic Games. Mewis played in six games during the 2019 World Cup, recording two goals and four assists en route to a gold medal, one of four golds she earned in international competitions.

Mewis battled knee injuries late in her career, which forced her to miss the 2023 World Cup. She last played in the NWSL in 2022, and she played in just one USWNT match since 2022, a friendly.

“I plan to share more about the journey of my injury someday,” Mewis said in her announcement. “I know that there are many athletes who have faced the unique struggle of stepping away from sport early and I think these stories deserve to be told - and heard.”

Mewis is planning to make the move to media in the next phase of her career, as she’s already revealed she’s joining Blazers Media Network to lead its women’s soccer coverage.