Forward Amy Rodriguez Retires

Veteran forward, Amy Rodriguez who was traded to the NC Courage in the middle of the 2021 season, has announced her retirement from professional soccer. Rodriguez will join the coaching staff of her alma mater, the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California.

Career Spanning Leagues

Rodriguez’s 16-year professional career spanned USWNT, NWSL, WPS teams. In a press release published this afternoon, the North Carolina Football Club said, “The club would like to thank Amy for her contributions this season and wish her all the best in her next steps.”

Next Steps

Those next steps include returning to the West coast and her alma mater — the University of Southern California, joining the women’s soccer team as an assistant coach, much like NC Courage alum Heather O’Reilly did after retiring from professional soccer.

NC Courage head coach in the press release said that Rodriguez contacted the club earlier in the week to let them know of her retirement as a result of the coaching opportunity at USC

“It was clear this was a very sudden and difficult decision for her, but ultimately what was best for her family and career,” Nahas said.

She has given so much to this game, it’s been her life…

“She has given so much to this game, it’s been her life, and the decision to walk away was one that she hadn’t planned on happening this soon. I fully support her and this decision, as for decades she has committed to her clubs and teams. She has always been fully invested in her craft. Now she gets to take care of her other team… the most important team, her family.”

USC Highlights

Rodriguez attended USC from 2005 to 2008, helping them clinch their first NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship. In USC’s record book, the forward ranks second in career game-winning goal record (12), fourth in school history in career points (79), and sixth in career assists (17).

“We are thrilled Amy has this incredible opportunity at USC so close to home,” Chief Soccer Officer Curt Johnson said.

“She has had an unbelievable playing career on the field and has been an integral leader in growing the sport since she burst onto the scene scoring goals for our youth national teams and USC. I know she will be a fantastic coach and mentor to the next generation of players. Of course, we are sad that she won’t be on the field for the Courage in 2022, but we understand, respect, and support her decision to pursue the next step in her career path, close to her family, at her alma mater.”

On Twitter

The veteran forward does not post much on Twitter, and last posted on January 1, 2021, saying simply, “Excited for what’s on the horizon.” On Instagram, she made a single Courage-related post during her brief time at the NC Courage in 2021.

The NC Courage celebrated being the forward’s last stop in her professional career, saying, “Thank you for letting the Courage be a small part of your story.”

One final shout for a true legend of the game on every level. Thank you for letting the Courage be a small part of your story, @AmyRodriguez8 💙 pic.twitter.com/lEY3Guu99f

— NC Courage (@TheNCCourage) January 31, 2022