United States women's national team midfielder Heather O'Reilly played her final international match on Thursday, the 31-year-old wearing the captain's armband and scoring in a 9-0 win over Thailand.

O'Reilly, who announced her retirement earlier in the month, took to The Players' Tribune prior to the match, penning a heartfelt letter that referenced her attendance at a World Cup match in 1999 against Denmark as her inspiration for pursuing a career in football.

"Inside the stadium the crowd was unbelievable. Mia Hamm scored a stunning goal to open the match, and the place went nuts. Even 14-year-old me got a little emotional. That team in ’99 put women’s soccer on the map. They captivated a nation," O'Reilly wrote.

"I wanted to do that. I wanted to be like them."

Three years later, O'Reilly was called up to the senior team while still in high school, making her first appearance in 2002 against Sweden.

O'Reilly hangs up her cleats having made 231 appearances for her country, scoring 47 times during a decorated career. Three Olympic gold medals on the trot, the 2015 World Cup, and a FIFA Under-19 world title in 2002 are just some of the team honours that O'Reilly played a vital role in.

Individually, her 231 caps rank seventh all time, and with 55 assists, O'Reilly is sixth all time among USWNT players.

Rank Player Caps Goals 1 Kristine Lilly 354 130 2 Christie Rampone 311 4 3 Mia Hamm 276 158 4 Julie Foudy 274 45 5 Abby Wambach 256 184 6 Joy Fawcett 241 27 7 Heather O'Reiily 231 47 8 Carli Lloyd 228 90 9 Tiffeny Milbrett 206 100 10 Hope Solo 202 0

As O'Reilly was inspired 17 years ago by the exploits of Hamm and Co., the North Carolina Tar Heel hopes that she too can be a source of encouragement for the next generation.

"And to those who are reading this, young and old, who have a fire burning inside of them: embrace it. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Own who you are, live with your heart on your sleeve, and dream big dreams.

"Thank you all so much for taking this journey with me.

"HAO, out."