Kelley O'Hara Opens Up About Broadcasting, Missed Atlanta Opportunity and Life Beyond the Pitch

"It just feels like a missed opportunity." That's how Kelley O'Hara describes the one unfulfilled chapter in her storied career — never getting the chance to play professional soccer in Atlanta, the city where she grew up watching the 1996 Olympics and first dreamed of representing her nation.

O'Hara hung up her boots in 2024 with NJ/NY Gotham FC following an illustrious career featuring two FIFA Women's World Cup championships (2015, 2019), Olympic gold in 2012, Olympic bronze in 2021, NWSL titles in 2021 and 2023, plus a Women's Professional Soccer crown in 2010. When the NWSL revealed Atlanta's expansion franchise in 2025 — owned by Arthur Blank, who also controls Atlanta United and the NFL's Falcons — scheduled to launch in 2028, it came four years after O'Hara's retirement.

"That would have been the ultimate scenario," she revealed on the Full Time podcast. The Atlanta Beat had actually secured her signature before the 2012 WPS season, only for the entire league to collapse days afterward. Years later, she engaged in discussions with Atlanta United executives regarding a potential women's team. Unfortunately, the timing never aligned during her playing days.

France 2019 Stands Above All

When pressed to prioritize her medal collection, O'Hara responds without hesitation: the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France holds the top spot. She featured in six of seven matches, delivered the assist for Christen Press' opening goal in the semifinal victory against England, and ensured the celebrations were appropriately epic. "Nobody's getting any sleep for the next 96 hours. Let's go!" Her 2021 NWSL championship with Washington Spirit ranks second — "I craved that just as intensely as a World Cup" — demonstrating her genuine commitment to domestic soccer during an era when numerous players viewed the NWSL merely as a placeholder between international competitions.

Today, she's establishing herself in a broadcasting career. CBS recruited her for studio analysis covering NWSL and UEFA Women's Champions League matches alongside Darian Jenkins, Janelly Farías, and Jen Beattie. Her inaugural live broadcast came at a fan-zone pre-match show during the 2022 NWSL championship with Ali Riley — minimal pressure, completely improvisational. "They're basically letting us go off-script. That's certainly a decision," she joked.

Authentic Commentary, Zero Filter

What O'Hara has discovered in broadcasting reflects what endeared her to fans as a player: complete authenticity. "I'm simply going to call it as I see it, and I'm not attempting to be something I'm not." For a sport still battling for legitimacy in mainstream North American sports media, that candid approach carries weight — commentators who sound rehearsed don't generate genuine engagement.

She acknowledges she'd "absolutely love to contribute" to the Atlanta expansion project, though she hasn't yet been contacted by the organization. Considering her stature in the city and her broadcasting visibility, such a conversation appears unavoidable. Whether it materializes on camera or in an off-screen capacity remains to be determined.

Regarding the most challenging aspect of her new media career? "Dealing with hair and makeup every single day."