- A record-breaking crowd turned up with pink hair to honor the ex-US captain
- Rapinoe, 38, was in discussions to possibly become an owner of the NWSL, per the commissioner
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Megan Rapinoe failed to score in her final regular-season NWSL match at home with OL Reign in a 0-0 draw against the Washington Spirit, despite having a glorious opportunity to take the lead in the second half.
The 38-year-old’s shot from inside the 18-yard box was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury in the 50th minute. Rapinoe didn’t get another shot after that, as she remained relatively quiet during Friday night’s sold-out game (over 34,000 fans) at Lumen Field.
The ex-US captain, who retired from international duty after exiting in the last 16 of the World Cup in August this year – considered the worst result in the history of US women’s football at the tournament – was after the match speechless. speech to the crowd. Fans applauded her for about a minute before she spoke.
“Okay, okay…” Rapinoe said. “It takes a lot for me to feel uncomfortable. Good luck… This is so amazing, just looking out and seeing my whole family here… all my teammates, former teammates, friends and people in my life.
‘Thank you to all the fans who showed up. This is what we have wanted for so long. This is such an incredible atmosphere to play for you and entertain you.
Megan Rapinoe had just one shot on goal in her final regular-season home game Friday
The 38-year-old Rapinoe remained relatively calm in a 0-0 draw against the Washington Spirit at Lumen Field
Rapinoe thanks fans after Friday’s 0-0 draw in Seattle. She got about a minute of applause
“(…) I love you all,” she added later. “And to my family, I love you so much. Thank you for your presence. Dad, I love you at home! We miss you.
“Baby, I love you so much,” she added, referring to her partner, WNBA legend Sue Bird, to whom she has been engaged since 2020. The couple started dating in 2017.
“To the rest of my family out here… take care of Sue! Everyone loves Sue!’
‘(…) But thank you to everyone! It was a great evening and I really appreciate it. I hope to see you all at all the home games next year, so…’
OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey named Rapinoe in her team’s starting lineup, with the winger playing on the left wing, where she has recorded two goals and five assists in 14 games this season.
“Thanks, Megan” chants broke out after Rapinoe’s speech after Friday’s game.
The Reign – the NWSL’s No. 6 seed – trailed the Spirit – the No. 5 ranked team – by just one point, occupying the final postseason birth, with just one round of play remaining in the regular season.
Rapinoe and Co. will travel to Chicago in October to take on the Red Stars, the 11th seed in the league.
An OL Reign fan holding a sign for Rapinoe. It said: ‘We can’t tell our baby about your legacy’
Rapinoe kissed her partner and retired WNBA legend Sue Bird after giving a speech on Friday
If they lose, they are in great danger of missing the play-offs.
Ahead of the 0-0 draw against the Spirit, NWSL commissioner Jessie Berman said she had conversations with Rapinoe – women’s Ballon d’Or winner, Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Cup champion – about how she can become a team owner in the future.
The OL Reign is for sale.
“I mean, who wouldn’t love working with someone like Megan in any capacity,” Berman told reporters, according to King 5 Seattle.
“As I told her personally, if she is ready to have a conversation about what the future looks like in women’s football and beyond, I would welcome the opportunity to support what she wants to do in her future.
