LOS ANGELES, USA – Veteran striker Sydney Leroux has announced she is stepping away from soccer to focus on her mental health, just a day before Angel City FC kicks off its NWSL season against San Diego Wave.
The 34-year-old forward shared the news via Instagram, stating that while the decision was difficult, she knows it is necessary.
“This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to say or admit to myself. But after a lot of reflection, I’ve made the difficult decision to step away from soccer for my mental health,” she wrote.
Leroux reassured fans that this is not the end of her career, promising to return in the future.
“Anyone who knows me knows I’m a fighter — I always have been. I take pride in showing up, in giving everything I have, but right now I owe it to myself and my children to take a step back and take care of me,” she added.
Mental Health in the NWSL
Leroux’s decision comes as the NWSL expands mental health support under its collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The revised policy allows a wider range of mental health professionals to recommend leave for players, ensuring greater accessibility to support. Each club is also required to have a licensed mental health provider on staff.
Leroux has been with Angel City since their inaugural NWSL season in 2022 and signed a contract extension through 2027. She has scored 10 goals in 42 NWSL matches for the club and previously netted 35 goals in 77 appearances for the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT), winning the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Her decision to step away highlights the growing conversation around mental health in professional sports, emphasizing the need for balance between career demands and personal well-being.
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