STANFORD, Calif. – In the fall of 2012, Kelley O'Hara returned to Stanford and headed to the practice field behind Laird Q. Cagan Stadium just as she had during her four years on The Farm.
This time was a bit different.
O'Hara was returning to practice as a spectator with an Olympic gold medal around her neck.
O'Hara ('10) played every minute at outside back for the United States during the 2012 London Olympics, helping lead her country to its fourth gold medal all-time.
Players and coaches crowded around O'Hara to get a glimpse of the hardware.
"It was unbelievable," said Stanford head coach Paul Ratcliffe. "Many of us had never seen an Olympic gold medal so just to see it in person was remarkable. Kelley is such an inspirational person and all the players were inspired by her."
Kelley O'Hara at Stanford's practice in 2012 (Photo by Jim Shorin)
O'Hara looks to help the U.S. defend its title this summer in Rio de Janeiro and is one of three Stanford soccer alums participating in the Olympics. She will be joined by teammate, Christen Press ('11), who will be making her Olympic debut, and Ali Riley ('10) who makes her third Olympic appearance with New Zealand.
The trio played together at Stanford from 2007-09 and compiled a 62-6-6 overall record and a 22-2-3 record in Pac-12 play. They led the Cardinal to the 2009 Pac-12 championship – the program's first title since 2002.
O'Hara (2009) and Press (2010) claimed college soccer's highest individual accolades when they were named MAC Hermann Trophy winners in consecutive seasons. The duo has become regular fixtures on the national team and helped lead the U.S. to a World Cup victory in 2015.
"I'm so proud of Ali, Kelley and Christen," said Ratcliffe. "It's the biggest stage in athletics and is a dream come true for them. I'm pleased all of their hard work has paid off and they're getting this opportunity."
U.S. Tournament Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time | How to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed., Aug 3 | New Zealand | 3 PM | NBCSN, Soccer Specialty Channel, NBC Universo, NBCOlympics.com, NBC Sports App |
| Sat., Aug. 6 | France | 1 PM | NBCSN, Soccer Specialty Channel, NBC Universo, NBCOlympics.com, NBC Sports App |
| Tue., Aug. 9 | Colombia | 3 PM | NBCSN, Soccer Specialty Channel, NBC Universo, NBCOlympics.com, NBC Sports App |
New Zealand Tournament Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time | How to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed., Aug 3 | United States | 3 PM | NBCSN, Soccer Specialty Channel, NBC Universo, NBCOlympics.com, NBC Sports App |
| Sat., Aug. 6 | Colombia | 4 PM | NBCOlympics.com, NBC Sports App |
| Tue., Aug. 9 | France | 3 PM | NBCOlympics.com, NBC Sports App |
More Ratcliffe …
On O'Hara, Press and Riley being regular national team fixtures …
"It's amazing all they have accomplished. They have the experience to capitalize on this opportunity. I'm sure they are going to take it all in and enjoy everything to do with the Olympics."
Thoughts while watching them play …
"The thought that goes through my head when watching them play is, 'Wow, they're so lucky to get that opportunity.' It's a dream come true for them. Most young kids dream of playing in the Olympics and they're getting to fulfill their dreams. I'm really proud of them and everyone at Stanford is rooting for them."
Will he be watching …
"I'll be glued to the TV. I'm going to try to find time for the entire squad here at Stanford to watch together and support Kelley, Christen and Ali. It should be an amazing event."
Message to the team while watching games …
"I share stories about those players and their work ethic and how they've earned these opportunities. Those are the best stories to share with them to inspire them. If they work hard during this time in their life, that it could be a reality for them too someday, they could play in the Olympics in the future."
Stanford Players in the Olympics
United States
Kelley O'Hara
Age: 27
Height: 5-5
Number: 5
Position: Defender
Club: Sky Blue FC
Hometown: Peachtree City, Ga.
Stanford graduating class: 2010
International caps: 81
International goals: 2
National team: O'Hara was a lifelong forward, but when Ali Krieger tore her ACL in 2012, the national team was short on outside backs, and head coach Pia Sundhage wondered what O'Hara thought about playing the position. O'Hara stepped up to the challenge. On January 22, 2012, in Olympic Qualifying against Guatemala, she started her first game at left back, registering three assists. She went on to play every minute at outside back for the USA at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. In 2011, she was an alternate to the World Cup team, but was added to the roster as a late replacement for Lindsay Tarpley, who tore the ACL in her knee against Japan. O'Hara brings great energy and fitness to her position, and also is a constant threat to attack. O'Hara earned her first cap in March, 2010 after starring for the U.S. U-20 team, for which she scored 24 goals in 35 international matches.
Stanford: O'Hara is Stanford's single-season record-holder for points (65) and goals (tied with Christen Press with 26). She led Stanford into its first NCAA championship final in 2009 and was awarded the prestigious Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy as college soccer's best player. In addition, O'Hara was named NSCAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She was a first-team NSCAA All-America in 2009, and a first-team ESPN Academic All-America. She majored in science, technology, and society.
Christen Press
Age: 27
Height: 5-7
Number: 23
Position: Forward
Club: Chicago Red Stars
Hometown: Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.
Stanford graduating class: 2011
International caps: 70
International goals: 34
National team: Press never received a call to the U.S. national team until after she gave up hope of ever getting the opportunity. She was playing in Sweden in 2012 when got her first call in advance of the Olympic Games. Though she never earned a cap, she was brought to the Games as an alternate. In her first national team appearance, on Feb. 8, 2013, she started against Scotland and scored two goals. She would become the fifth U.S. player ever to score at least four goals in her first four U.S. matches. She has since become a fixture with the USWNT, making a team-high 23 appearances in 2014. She went on a scoring tear following the World Cup, scoring eight goals with two assists in seven appearances during the Victory Tour.
Stanford: Press is Stanford's career leader in points (183), goals (71) and assists (41). During her four seasons, from 2007-10, Stanford went 67-0-1 in matches in which Press had a goal or an assist. She won the Hermann Trophy as college soccer's best player in 2010, during a season in which she led the nation in goals (26) and points (60). She doubled as the Pac-10's Scholar-Athlete of the Year and its Player of the Year. As a junior and senior, she helped Stanford to consecutive national championship finals, Pac-10 titles and undefeated regular-seasons. She majored in communication.
New Zealand
Ali Riley
Age: 28
Height: 5-5
Number: 7
Position: Defender
Club: FC Rosengard (Sweden)
Hometown: Pacific Palisades, Calif.
Stanford graduating class: 2010
International caps: 101
International goals: 1
National team: Riley is a two-time Oceania Player of the Year and four-time New Zealand Player of the Year. She also is an eight-year veteran of the Football Ferns. Riley, whose father John is from New Zealand, made her debut for New Zealand in January, 2007, at age 19. Riley played in her third World Cup in 2015, and will make her third Olympic Games appearance.
Stanford: After beginning her Stanford career as a forward, Riley was shifted to outside back as a junior and developed into one of the most valuable players on two NCAA College Cup teams. With her speed and fitness, Riley was able to attack up the wing and quickly retreat into defensive position. She was named the Pac-10 Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year for soccer in 2009, the same season she earned third-team NSCAA All-America and first-team All-Pac-10 honors.
Follow the National Teams
U.S. – Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
New Zealand – Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram