{"id":26573,"date":"2023-07-17T09:52:14","date_gmt":"2023-07-17T13:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/?p=26573"},"modified":"2023-07-17T09:52:14","modified_gmt":"2023-07-17T13:52:14","slug":"uswnt-teammates-react-to-losing-megan-rapinoe-to-retirement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/2023\/07\/uswnt-teammates-react-to-losing-megan-rapinoe-to-retirement.html","title":{"rendered":"USWNT Teammates React to Losing Megan Rapinoe to Retirement"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"megan<\/a>
feelphoto\/Shutterstock.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The announcement that this upcoming Women\u2019s World Cup would be the last for U.S. women\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Dunn said about Rapinoe, her voice breaking from emotion, \u201cI just love her so much. She\u2019s been so key for me in my career. She\u2019s somebody that I can call with the most random stuff.\u201d Dunn continued, \u201cI 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, \u2018I\u2019ve been watching your journey, and just like, I really appreciate everything that you\u2019ve been through and the work you\u2019ve put in.\u2019 And I think her obviously being who she is and saying that to me is what really sparked our connection.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rapinoe\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Rapinoe said, \u201cI could have just never imagined where this beautiful game would\u2019ve taken me. I feel so honored to be able to have represented this country and this federation for so many years. It\u2019s truly been the greatest thing I\u2019ve ever done, something I\u2019m so grateful for.\u201d Rapinoe and her teammates will aim for a third consecutive World Cup win, but she\u2019ll have a different role, that of an impact substitute this time.<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Megan Rapinoe She\/Her ?\ufe0f\u200d? (@mrapinoe)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n