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FC Kansas City to Retire Lauren Holiday's Number 12 Jersey

August 19, 2015 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
FC Kansas City News Release


KANSAS CITY, MO. (August 18, 2015) - FC Kansas City announced today that the team will retire midfielder Lauren Holiday's #12 jersey at the end of the 2015 National Women's Soccer League season as well as being honored on Thursday, August 27th prior to the team's last home regular season game against the Washington Spirit.

In addition, the Blues also announced that autographed Lauren Holiday items will be auctioned off during that match. All proceeds will go to CHD Babies, a non-profit organization chosen by Holiday.

"Lauren [Holiday] is one of the finest midfielders in U.S. Women's soccer history and a cornerstone of the FC Kansas City franchise," Director of Soccer Operations Huw Williams said. "We thank her for all she has accomplished both on and off the field for the National Team and our club. She has attained her success with distinction, integrity and professionalism. We are proud to honor her by retiring our first jersey."

The Indianapolis, Indiana native announced her retirement from professional soccer after helping the U.S. Women's National Team win its third FIFA Women's World Cup last month in Canada and FC Kansas City to its first ever NWSL Championship last year.

"I have so much respect for FC Kansas City and when I made my decision to retire, I knew I wanted to come back and finish out the season, not only for the club, but for the fans," said Holiday. "Hopefully, we can win another title and really go out on top."

After playing two seasons for the Boston Breakers in the WPS, she was allocated to Kansas City for the inaugural season of the NWSL in 2013. That year she was named league MVP after scoring 12 goals and recording nine assists, the most in the league.

"First of all, I want to say that I am honored to have coached such a great player and person," Coach Vlatko Andonovski said. "She [Holiday] has helped build this team since day one and I could not be more grateful for all of her contributions."

Last season, she added eight more goals and seven assists to her name as well as being named 2014 NWSL Championship game MVP where she provided both assists for teammate Amy Rodriguez's goals against the Seattle Reign FC.

Holiday is also a two-time (2008, 2012) Olympic gold medalist. Last year, she was named 2014 Female Athlete of the Year and has 130 caps with the U.S. Women's NationalTeam where she has scored a total of 24 goals including the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup game-winning tally over Japan.

Tickets to see Lauren Holiday play for the last time are available. Call 855-4KC-GOAL or visit fckansascity.com for more information.

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