Seattle Reign lost 1-0 to Gotham FC in the NWSL play-off quarter-finals on Sunday, ending the playing career of 39-year-old midfielder Jess Fishlock.
Fishlock's career
Fishlock began her career with Cardiff City in 2002, played in eight different countries and collected Champions League winners medals with FFC Frankfurt and Olympique Lyonnais.
She retired from international football in October 2025 after scoring 48 times in 166 international appearances.
Her Seattle years
Fishlock joined Seattle for the inaugural NWSL season in 2013 and won three NWSL Shields during a 14-season stint with the club. She left the field in the 74th minute.
Reign finished eighth in this year's regular season table to claim the final play-off berth.
Reign defender Sofia Huerta said: "She came into this league and it was so lucky to have her. She put this league on the map. Playing with Jess has been my greatest honour. I've seen her be the best professional, such a good player, but the best thing about Jess is she's just such a good person."
The end of her playing career
Fishlock announced in April that the season would be her last. "I've loved it. And the truth is I've loved that my last year was with this group, because they have just given me so much, and not just on the field," said an emotional Fishlock, as she wiped away tears after losing to Gotham on Sunday.
She added: "Two years ago I was just 'I can't work with these kids', as in I'm too old for it, but they have given me just so much joy. And obviously the older ones, we've just had to rely on each other so much these last couple of years and it's created deeper relationships within what we've already been doing, and because of that I've seen so much growth on and off the field from this team. So even today I'm not upset that I'll never play football again - I'm ok with that, I've played enough - but I am devastated that I will not get to spend more time with this group."
Wales coaching role
Fishlock will be part of Rhian Wilkinson's Wales coaching staff for December's two-leg World Cup play-off against Norway. She previously held player-coach roles at Cardiff City ladies and Melbourne Victory.
