CARY, NC (November 16, 2021) – North Carolina Courage defender Schuyler DeBree announced today her retirement from professional soccer after a four-year career that entailed time spent with the Courage, the Washington Spirit, AC Sparta Praha, and Reign FC (now OL Reign). The North Carolina Courage would like to thank Schuyler for her dedication and commitment to the club, and wish her the best in retirement.

“Although I know that moving on to my next chapter after soccer is the right decision for me, I am going to miss getting to play, every day, with this group of teammates that I love and respect so much,” DeBree said. “Thank you to the Courage organization for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this family, and to come back to the game that has given me so much for one final season. Thank you to my friends, family, and support system for making it possible. I can’t wait to see how the Courage and the NWSL as a whole continue to evolve to be the best possible environment for their athletes.” Drafted 11th overall by the Washington Spirit in 2018, DeBree elected to finish her senior year at Duke University before going professional, where she made 78 appearances with the Blue Devils and was honored as the Defensive Player of the Year in 2017. In July of 2018, the defender signed with the Czech Republic side AC Sparta Praha, in which the squad won the Czech First Division title during the 2018-2019 season before signing with Reign FC (now OL Reign) in July 2019, making two appearances for the club. DeBree made her debut with the Courage during the Challenge Cup this season, entering the match as a second-half substitute against the Washington Spirit and later appearing in a match against the Orlando Pride. “Schuyler has been a consummate pro all year,” Interim Head Coach Sean Nahas said. “Every day she gave what was needed to make the team better. She has always had a true passion for the sport and being the best teammate possible, and that is something she can always be proud of. As she announces her retirement from the game, all I care about is that she is happy, and from my conversation with her, that is the case. I couldn’t be happier for her as she prepares to take the next steps in her life and journey. I wish her absolutely nothing but the best. It’s what she deserves!”