HARRISON, N.J. -- Seattle Reign FC midfielder Jess Fishlock sat down on a red heavy duty dolly cart to sip a Modelo beer in the hallway under Sports Illustrated Stadium after her 14-year NWSL career ended on Sunday. If any sadness was detectable, it was for her team's playoff elimination, not the end of her own career.
"I'm just so proud of this group," Fishlock said moments earlier. "I have nothing but joy and happiness about it, you know? That's just the way it goes."
Seattle lost 1-0 to Gotham FC on Sunday in an ugly NWSL quarterfinal played on a dry, choppy field that drew the ire of both teams. Gotham was the No. 1 seed and NWSL Shield winners, but did not put a single shot on goal against No. 8 seed Seattle.
Reign defender Jordyn Bugg's own goal four minutes in was the difference in the match.
"That sucks for this group, specifically, because I don't want them to come off of this field thinking that they were not good enough or the best team out there today, because I truly believe that [they were]," Fishlock said.
Fishlock announced earlier this year that she would retire at the end of the season. She joined the Reign ahead of the NWSL's inaugural season in 2013. Fishlock is the only player to stay with the same team over those nearly 14 years, and one of only three players still active from that first season.
She helped Seattle win three NWSL Shields and reach three NWSL Championship matches, where the Reign finished runners-up each time. Fishlock was the 2021 NWSL MVP.
"You know, it's emotional, but she's had a phenomenal career," Reign head coach Laura Harvey, who coached Fishlock most of those 14 years in Seattle, told ESPN. "We, as a club, did a fantastic job of celebrating her in the right way, but she's always been about football. It's always been about the football for Jess.
"Mine and Jess' relationship has always been about football, and that won't change. No matter what we do, no matter where we go and where our journey takes us, we'll always lean on each other for football. Obviously, it's not the ending we wanted for her, but we gave everything for her, no doubt."
Fishlock said she did not allow herself to think of the emotions of the day prior to the match. She started and played 75 minutes before exiting the match due to a tweaked hamstring sustained moments before coming off.
"I've loved playing for Seattle, I've loved being in this league for 14 years -- best league in the world by a country mile," Fishlock said. "I've just loved the NWSL and love Seattle. What people want to talk about in my career is completely up to them. It's not for me to say."
Fishlock had one of Seattle's best opportunities of the first half in the 36th minute when she hit a right-footed shot just wide of the goal after intercepting an errant pass from Gotham defender Tierna Davidson.
She also attempted a shot from midfield in the 12th minute after an error by Gotham defender Jess Carter, but Fishlock's effort did not have enough power behind it.
Seattle had the only three shots on goal of the game and held Gotham to 0.17 expected goals.
"I was just thinking of my job out there," Fishlock said.