Kelley O’Hara's World Cup

The U.S. women’s national soccer team won the World Cup in July, beating Japan in a near-blowout 5-2 victory. But it was a goal in the semifinal game against the top-seeded German team that made Irish American Kelley O’Hara a household name.
Nine minutes after O’Hara, 26, was subbed in, just minutes before the end of regulation time, she scored the definitive goal of the game, slicing an assist from Carli Lloyd straight into the back of the net. The U.S. won the game six minutes later 2-0, and the rest is history.
O’Hara, who grew up in Fayetteville, Georgia, hadn’t played since she had been taken out of the quarter final after an accidental head butt from a member of the Chinese team. She’d been out the previous four games as well, but came back in a big way from the resulting bloody nose.
O’Hara was humble before the semifinal, telling USA Today she understood her playing time was for the good of the team. “Just have to show up for practice, be professional, work your butt off and be ready,” she said. But still, “It would be amazing to play a World Cup semifinal. I am ready for anything and I would love to have that chance.”
Good thing she got that chance. ♦