The Legendary Megan Rapinoe Announces Retire at the end of this season
Celebrated US Women's National Team icon, Megan Rapinoe, who has triumphed twice in the Women's World Cup, has declared her intention to retire after the culmination of the 2023 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season. Having already clinched an Olympic gold medal in London 2012, Rapinoe will participate in her fourth and ultimate World Cup, scheduled to take place this summer in Australia and New Zealand, before reuniting with her NWSL squad, OL Reign.
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| US Women's National Team icon: The Legendary Megan Rapinoe Announces Retire at the end of this season |
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In a remarkable display of skill that may never be replicated, Megan Rapinoe achieved a rare feat by scoring "Olimpicos" - goals directly from corner kicks - in two separate Olympic Games, first in 2012 and then again in 2021.
Furthermore, Rapinoe belongs to an exclusive group of only 18 players from the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) who have accumulated over 11,000 minutes of play in a U.S. uniform. Her endurance and dedication to the sport are evident in this impressive statistic.
On July 1, 2022, an announcement was made that President Joe Biden had chosen Rapinoe as a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the nation. She received this prestigious award at the White House on July 7, making her the first soccer player to ever be bestowed with such recognition. Additionally, Rapinoe joins a select group of merely six female athletes or coaches who have been honored in this manner.
Kate Markgraf, the general manager of the USWNT, lauds Rapinoe as a generational talent, ranking her among the greatest players to have ever represented the U.S. Women's National Team.
Markgraf emphasizes Rapinoe's exceptional performances on the grandest stages of the sport. However, it is not only Rapinoe's on-field contributions that deserve recognition. Her off-field endeavors exemplify her ability to recognize her significant platform and utilize it for positive impact.
Rapinoe stands out as one of the few players in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) who has remained active since the league's second iteration, known as the WPS. Throughout her 11-year career in the NWSL, she has dedicated her talents exclusively to the Reign, where she has achieved an impressive record of 48 goals and 25 assists.
These accomplishments secure her place as the sixth highest scorer in the league's history. In addition, Rapinoe spent a period with Olympique Lyon in France from 2013 to 2014, further broadening her international experience.
Born and raised in Redding, California, a small city located approximately 200 miles north of the San Francisco Bay Area, Rapinoe grew up alongside her twin sister, Rachael.
Displaying her athletic prowess, she excelled in various sports, including high school basketball. Rapinoe's youth club soccer career mostly unfolded with Elk Grove, and she pursued higher education at the University of Portland alongside her sister.
In 2005, they achieved an NCAA Championship victory together. Throughout her college years, Rapinoe demonstrated resilience by overcoming two ACL surgeries, and later in 2015, she persevered through an additional one. These experiences shaped her into one of the most memorable figures in the history of U.S. women's soccer.
Furthermore, Rapinoe has exciting personal news to celebrate, as she is engaged to be married to Sue Bird, an iconic figure in women's basketball. Bird concluded her illustrious 21-season career in the WNBA in 2022, following her remarkable achievement of winning a fifth and final Olympic gold medal with USA Basketball in 2021.
Megan Rapinoe's journey as a soccer player and her contributions both on and off the field serve as a testament to her extraordinary talent and her dedication to using her platform for the betterment of society.
Reason: Megan Rapinoe retire her Career and Soccer
Megan Rapinoe, the iconic American soccer player known for her prowess on the field and her unapologetic activism, recently announced her retirement from professional soccer. This decision has left fans and sports enthusiasts wondering about the reasons behind her departure.
Rapinoe's retirement marks the end of an era, as she has been a significant figure in women's soccer, not only for her exceptional skills but also for her outspokenness on social issues. Throughout her career, Rapinoe has been an advocate for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice, using her platform to raise awareness and effect positive change.
While Rapinoe has not explicitly stated the specific reasons for her retirement, it is likely that a combination of factors, including physical demands, personal considerations, and the desire to focus on her off-field endeavors, influenced her decision.
Rapinoe's impact on the sport and her unwavering commitment to social causes will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy, inspiring future generations of athletes to use their voices and abilities to make a difference both on and off the field.