Ex-USWNT standout Sam Mewis retires at 31

Sam Mewis, part of the United States' winning FIFA Women's World Cup team in 2019, announced her retirement from soccer on Friday.

The 31-year-old midfielder started five of the seven matches in that competition in France, providing the assist on Rose Lavelle's game-clinching goal against the Netherlands in the final.

She cited injuries as her reason to retire.

"Unfortunately, my knee can no longer tolerate the impact that elite soccer requires," Mewis said. "Though this isn't what I wanted, this is the only path forward for me. I want to thank everyone who has been on my team throughout this journey. Soccer has put so many wonderful things in my life, but the most wonderful thing has been the people. To all my family, friends, teammates, and fans, I truly feel that we did this together and I'm extremely grateful."

Mewis spent eight years as a member of the U.S. women's national team, tallying 83 caps and 24 goals. In 2020, she was named U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year.

Outside of her USWNT duties, Mewis played with Manchester City in England in 2020-21, and in the latter year she topped ESPN FC's list of the best female players in the world. She won the 2020 FA Cup with Man City.

Stateside, she won three NWSL titles — one with the Western New York Flash and two with the North Carolina Courage. In 2013, she was part of a UCLA women's team that won the program's first national title.

She also played with the Kansas City Current of the NWSL.

Mewis is one few American players to win a FIFA youth Women's World Cup, a senior Women's World Cup, a professional championship and an NCAA title.

She will move into the media realm as editor-in-chief of The Women's Game vertical on the Men in Blazers Media Network.

—Field Level Media