Bethany Balcer takes break for mental health reasons

Racing Louisville forward Bethany Balcer announced on Wednesday that she is taking a break from soccer. She wants to focus on her personal well-being. In an Instagram post, the 28-year-old shared her feelings about the game. She stated, "When soccer is no longer fun, something needs to change." Balcer has had a successful career, scoring 42 goals since she began playing in the NWSL in 2019. She was the Rookie of the Year in 2019 and played a key role in her former team, Seattle Reign, winning titles in 2022. Balcer was traded to Racing Louisville in August 2024. In her post, Balcer highlighted the importance of mental health. She admitted that she has not been listening to her own needs lately. "I've found my identity slowly slipping away," she wrote. She mentioned feeling consumed by soccer, leading to a loss of joy and passion for the sport. Balcer expressed her excitement about focusing on herself outside of soccer. She believes this break will help her return to the game with renewed energy and love. Racing Louisville began the new NWSL season this past Saturday, ending in a 1-1 draw against North Carolina Courage. Balcer did not participate in that match.