USWNT: Rampone Rethinking Retirement

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For those looking for legendary defender Christie Rampone to hang up her cleats after the London Olympics this summer, you may need to do a little more waiting. Though expected to retire after the 2012 games, Rampone has thrown out the possibility of staying on the US Women's National Team with prospects of playing through the 2015 World Cup.

Rampone was on the winning squad that took the 1999 World Cup, the only current member of the USWNT that can boast such a feat. Though winning a gold medal this summer would allow Rampone to leave on a high note, the loss last summer to Japan in the World Cup final may be what motivates her to stay on. 

The 36 year old has said that her coaches have also encouraged her to rethink the timing of her retirement though she would be 40 when the 2015 World Cup rolls around. 

"I am feeling great," she said Thursday, "but the reality is, I want to walk away from the game enjoying it."

Perhaps a bigger issue is that she is not only playing the role of an international soccer star-but also of a mom. She has two young girls who often do the bulk of the traveling with her. Rampone is looking to take some time off after the summer Olympics to weigh her options.

Rampone has been a part of the USWNT since 1997, (consider fellow teammate Alex Morgan was just 8 years old). She has proven to be one of the most dependable pieces for the US team and has quietly grown to be one of their greatest leaders as well. Named captain of the squad in 2008, she currently has 256 caps. 

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