Lauren Holiday: ‘I fulfilled all my dreams in soccer’

Lauren Holiday never wanted it to be all about her. That is not her personality.

So while the U.S. women’s national soccer team was celebrating its World Cup triumph at a Los Angeles rally last week, she was unprepared for the question:

Are you retiring?

“I got emotional,” she said.

But the answer was: Yes.

In a phone interview Thursday, the 27-year-old Indianapolis midfielder talked about her decision, career and future. She is not finished with soccer just yet. She will play out this season for FC Kansas City in the National Women’s Soccer League, and she intends to play in all U.S. games on a victory tour.

Two of the 10 games are set: Aug. 16 in Pittsburgh and Aug. 19 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Indianapolis would be an appropriate stop, although Carroll Stadium (10,524) is too small and Lucas Oil Stadium would have to plan around Indianapolis Colts games. An Indy Eleven spokesman said he was unaware of any local effort to bring in the U.S. women’s team.

“Now that it’s out there, I’m totally comfortable and fine,” Holiday said of her retirement. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. I’ve never played for self-glory or anything. I’ve played to glorify God.

“I fulfilled all my dreams in soccer.”

Besides the Women’s World Cup championship, the Ben Davis High School graduate played on two gold-medal teams at the Olympic Games and led FC Kansas City to a NWSL title. While at UCLA, her teams never won the NCAA title, but she played in four College Cups.

Holiday said she wants to start a family with husband Jrue, a guard for the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, and serve in a non-profit organization or Christian ministry. She said the “lifestyle that we live,” of training and traveling, is not conducive to investing time in anything else.

“I’m excited for this next chapter in my life,” she said.

The most recent chapter could not have been much more exciting.

In the aftermath of the 5-2 victory over Japan, she received countless e-mails and about 100 text messages. A ticker tape parade through New York City placed perspective on “the impact that we had,” she said. Equally memorable was stepping onstage Friday during a Taylor Swift concert at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Although Carli Lloyd received most of the attention for her three goals against Japan, it was actually Holiday who scored the third — and game-deciding — goal.

In the 14th minute, Tobin Heath sent a pass from midfield toward Alex Morgan, but the ball was intercepted by a Japanese defender, who tried to head the ball away but directed it up in the air. The ball landed it front of Holiday, who didn’t break stride and volleyed it into the net.

USA 3, Japan 0.

“I don’t actually know why I made the run that I made into the box,” she said, comparing her experience to that of a baseball player who vividly sees a pitched ball. “When the ball was dropping, it just got so big that I couldn’t miss. When I struck it, it did feel like slow motion. Pretty cool to score in a World Cup final.”

Holiday said her husband would miss watching her games, and he has suggested it would be meaningful for one of their children to see their parents’ soccer and basketball games.

Now she is seeking other causes to which she can devote herself. Soccer has given her a platform for that, although she has been uneasy about people listening only because she is an athlete. It hasn’t been all about the games anyway.

“It’s been about the journey and the relationships I’ve made,” Holiday said. “Those are going to be incredible friendships that I’ll keep forever. Along with the accolades, my relationships with teammates have been incredible.”

Call Star reporter David Woods at (317) 444-6195. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.