Megan Rapinoe rejects narrative after final Women's World Cup for USA

29 August 2023 , 19:15

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Megan Rapinoe will get a send-off match with the United States women's national team in September. (Image: LightRocket via Getty Images)

Retiring United States women's national team forward Megan Rapinoe has rejected the notion she's filled with "sadness" walking away from the sport after a painful Women's World Cup defeat this summer.

She announced she would participate in a send-off game with the USWNT on September 24 against South Africa. It means she gets to play one more time and bid farewell back on home soil after their recent disappointment in Down Under.

"People may think that my career coming to an end would bring sadness, but when I think back on the past 30-plus years of playing this game, my overriding emotions are joy and gratitude," Rapinoe said in a statement. "It's been an unbelievable ride. It will be special to have this one last opportunity to play for my country in front of our incredible fans and get the chance to thank my teammates and everyone who has had an impact on me as a person and player over the years."

During an influential career, Rapinoe won two World Cup trophies and an Olympic gold medal. Off the pitch, she successfully campaigned for better pay from U.S. Soccer to the women's team while pushing for various other social justice causes. The USWNT will recognise the 38-year-old before the friendly against South Africa with a special ceremony honouring her contributions.

She made her 200th career USWNT appearance this year against Wales and will retire ranked third all-time in assists. Even after defeat at the 2023 World Cup, when she missed a penalty in a last-16 shootout against Sweden, the California native tried to remain upbeat.

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"I thought we played really well, I am so happy for us that we went out playing the way that we did," she told reporters. "This is dark comedy, I missed a penalty. This is the balance to the beautiful side of the game. I felt really grateful and joyful and I know this is the end and that is sad. This is the only time I have been in one of these [losing a World Cup match] - it has been an honour."

Rapinoe announced her retirement before the World Cup, hoping she could finish her time with the USWNT in style. But it didn't quite work out for her or the squad; she was relegated to substitute duties, and head coach Vlatko Andonovski resigned under heavy criticism following the tournament.

Megan Rapinoe won two World Cup trophies but fell short of a record third in a row this summer. (FIFA via Getty Images)

Still, Rapinoe helped mentor a new generation of American players who carry a bright future. Young forwards Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Alyssa Thompson will likely compete for a place on the next World Cup roster. She feels grateful she passed the torch to them.

"They're obviously just so talented, all the younger players," said Rapinoe. "They're so much better than we were at that age, just so much more advanced. ... I love playing with them. You need youth, you need that. You need people to be able to play game-in and game-out.

"They're always teaching me all the new things and trying to keep me up on stuff. They keep me young, and I feel like hopefully I can add something to their game or influence them in some way."

Dan Bernstein