The announcement that this upcoming Women’s World Cup would be the last for U.S. women’s national team winger Megan Rapinoe was somewhat expected. However, the news still hit hard for U.S. teammate Crystal Dunn. Before a recent friendly practice against Wales, Dunn held back tears as she described what Rapinoe, who will also retire from professional soccer after the NWSL season, meant to her.
Dunn said about Rapinoe, her voice breaking from emotion, “I just love her so much. She’s been so key for me in my career. She’s somebody that I can call with the most random stuff.” Dunn continued, “I think ever since when I missed out on the 2015 World Cup and then got back in with the team, I think she was somebody who just welcomed me with so much open arms, and she was just like, ‘I’ve been watching your journey, and just like, I really appreciate everything that you’ve been through and the work you’ve put in.’ And I think her obviously being who she is and saying that to me is what really sparked our connection.”
Rapinoe’s announcement came at a pregame news conference. The 38-year-old said she wanted to make her intentions public to avoid any further distractions once the team got to New Zealand, where they will play all three of its group-stage games. The USWNT starts the tournament on July 21 against Vietnam, and after the World Cup, Rapinoe will rejoin her club team, OL Reign.
Rapinoe said, “I could have just never imagined where this beautiful game would’ve taken me. I feel so honored to be able to have represented this country and this federation for so many years. It’s truly been the greatest thing I’ve ever done, something I’m so grateful for.” Rapinoe and her teammates will aim for a third consecutive World Cup win, but she’ll have a different role, that of an impact substitute this time.
View this post on Instagram
Regardless of how she finishes, Rapinoe will become one of the all-time great U.S. players, making 200 international appearances for the USWNT to go with two World Cup titles. She also has a FIFA Best Female Player, a Ballon d’Or Féminin award, and an Olympic gold medal from 2012.
In the locker room, her mentorship of younger players has been a key component of the U.S. team’s sustained excellence, her teammates say. U.S. defender Naomi Girma said, “She obviously has a big presence, very energetic, and she’s the heart of the team. And I think she does a great job of making younger players feel welcome and just bringing us into the jokes, to the music, to everything. She was very helpful for me coming in.”
But it’s Rapinoe’s impact away from the field that has perhaps resonated the most. As a gay player, the Redding, California, native has inspired the LGBTQIA+ community, making the game more accessible as she fought for diversity. She was also at the forefront of the equal pay fight that led to the USWNT players making immense gains in terms of compensation from the U.S. Soccer Federation. The impact of those contributions should benefit multiple future generations of players.
Rapinoe’s stances weren’t always popular, like when she knelt for the national anthem in solidarity with NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who spoke out against racial inequalities. But she remained steadfast in her beliefs.
The 2019 World Cup epitomized the degree to which Rapinoe divided opinion and still excelled. Her Twitter feud with then-President Donald Trump had some Americans rooting against her and the team. But her performances and goals, including the game-winner in the final against the Netherlands, spoke volumes about how she wouldn’t be intimidated. Her ability to cope with the intense media spotlight eased the pressure on a U.S. side already trying to become the second women’s team to win back-to-back World Cups. Congratulations to Megan Rapinoe on her upcoming retirement!