U.S. women’s national team legend Megan Rapinoe will make her final international appearance this September against South Africa.
Rapinoe’s final USWNT appearance is slated to take place on Sept. 24 against South Africa at Soldier Field in Chicago. She will be honored before the match after earning her 200th career USWNT cap back in July.
Rapinoe will not play in the first of two head-to-head friendlies on Sept. 21 in Cincinnati.
“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,” said Rapinoe. “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.”
The 38-year-old will end her international career with 203 caps and is the 14th American to reach 200 games played for her country. Her 63 career goals and 73 assists for the USWNT are ranked in the Top-10 in U.S. history in both categories.
A two-time Women’s World Cup winner, Rapinoe is tied with Abby Wambach for third all-time in assists for the USWNT and is one of only eight players in USWNT history with 50+ career goals and 50+ career assists.
Rapinoe’s final regular season match in the NWSL with OL Reign is scheduled for October 15.
So I guess the USSF marketing department still decides who gets to wear the uniform, because no soccer coach in their right mind would burn a spot for a send off game when the Olympics are less than a year away.
they have less than a year to flip this sucker back around, why is she playing any minutes? testimonial matches began as a way to hand underpaid players the gate as their retirement and these more lucrative days are non-fixture, non-competitive touch football affairs with the gate going to charity. this is burning finite competitive game time when the player had the WWC as a fairly highfalutin exit.
Can’t argue with the Rapinoe part. I was a big Rapinoe fan, couldn’t care less about her politics, and think she’s an all-timer, but time to go. Honor her before the match and let her watch from the box if you have to do something. She has 202 caps that’s enough.