As she prepares to play her final match in a U.S. uniform, the remarkable, versatile Lori Chalupny reflects on an international career that had some stops and starts, but in the end, was entirely fulfilling.
As my international career comes to an end, there are a lot of people to thank. I want to thank the fans for always being so supportive and kind and for appreciating what I brought to the game. To my coaches and teammates, there are so many emotions and great memories that trying to recount one or two in this space is impossible. I’ll just say that you are all part of the person and player I have become and I’ll be forever thankful for that. Thanks for your support, encouragement, love, many laughs and for pushing me in training every day to be the best player I could be.
I’ve had teammates who will remain a part of my life forever. They are the ones who were along for the ride through the hills and valleys and were always there for me to share experiences around the country and the world.
As it is for many players, my first cap will always be special. It came in a small town in Italy in 2001 in front of a sparse crowd, but just walking onto the field to be a part of this amazing team and tradition felt like a huge accomplishment. Little did I know it was just the beginning of a fantastic journey, and like most long trips, it definitely had its ups and downs. Thankfully, mostly ups.