She has been one of the most reliable defenders for the U.S. since debuting with the national team in 2008, overcoming multiple injuries and setbacks throughout her career. After nearly 100 appearances with the national team, she made her long-awaited Olympics debut during the summer. She also helped the U.S. win the 2015 World Cup as part of a back line that allowed three goals throughout the entire tournament and played a critical role in the team's runner-up finish in the 2011 World Cup, where she converted the winning penalty kick against Brazil in the quarterfinal to advance to the championship match against Japan. In 2013, after returning from a torn ACL the previous year, she scored her first goal for the national team.