Megan Rapinoe marked her farewell sport for the United States on Sunday with a profitable efficiency, aiding in a aim via a nook kick as her crew secured a 2-0 victory over South Africa.
The iconic 38-year-old striker, celebrated for off-field activism in addition to glories on the pitch, ended her epic U.S. profession with 63 targets in 203 caps over greater than 17 years with a 54th-minute exit at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
“It makes me really proud to know we’ve been as successful on the field as we have, but also that we’ve helped make the world a little bit better of a place,” Rapinoe mentioned after the victory.
Rapinoe sparked the Americans to crowns on the 2015 and 2019 Women’s World Cups and gold on the 2012 London Olympics, however was a champion for social causes as nicely.
She was introduced the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s prime civilian award, in 2002 by President Joe Biden for supporting an array of U.S. social justice points.
Rapinoe, FIFA’s 2019 Women’s Player of the Year, additionally was among the many leaders of the U.S. ladies’s profitable battle with U.S. Soccer for equal pay and circumstances with the boys’s squad.
“She has affected so many people’s lives in a positive way. She has changed this sport forever,” U.S. ahead Trinity Rodman mentioned of Rapinoe.
“I’m so grateful I’m able to play on the same field with her as well as learn from her so she’s a legend.”
Rodman scored on a right-footed volley within the 18th minute off an help from Alex Morgan for the Americans, who additionally beat South Africa 3-0 Thursday at Cincinnati.
Rapinoe, the 14th participant to make 200 profession appearances for the U.S. ladies, made her magic 4 minutes into the second half.
U.S. midfielder Emily Sonnett scored on a header within the forty ninth minute off a deflection of a Rapinoe nook kick, nodding the ball over a defender and slightly below the crossbar for a 2-0 U.S. lead.
Players gathered to have a good time round Rapinoe, who struck a pose after encouragement from teammates.
Rapinoe was changed by Margaret Purce within the 54th minute and departed to a standing ovation, teammates coming over to share a hug earlier than she stepped off the pitch for the final time in a U.S. uniform.
“So overwhelming. It has been amazing,” Rapinoe mentioned of the day. “It has been actually great, to listen to all the great issues, to have a closure second, to play in entrance of a giant crowd once more.
“I’ll miss it forever. I don’t think I’ll ever be at a moment where it will feel perfect but this is pretty close.”
“Trailblazer. Icon. Inspiration,” the uss ladies’s crew posted on social media after Rapinoe’s exit. “You’ve made this sport, this country and this world a better place. Thank you.”
Morgan, in a video tribute, advised Rapinoe, “Your legacy is so much bigger than what you did on the field…. you’ve literally done it all. I’m just so proud of how you get to go out on your own terms.”
‘I really feel so at peace’
Rapinoe thanked followers worldwide and her teammates in chatting with the group after the match, saying, “I feel like I’ve been able to grow up in front of all of you.”
“It has been such an honor to be able to wear this shirt and play with all these amazing players and to just live out my childhood dream, casually, just like in front of the world,” she mentioned.
“We fought so hard off the field to continue to create more space for ourselves to be who we are but hopefully in turn more space for you guys to be who you are.”
Rapinoe advised followers: “I’m not going to go away forever. Don’t worry. I’m one of you guys now.”
Rapinoe appears ahead to break day after a couple of last matches together with her membership aspect, OL Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League.
“I feel like I got the most out of my career,” Rapinoe mentioned. “I did my absolute best and maximized my talent… I think that’s probably why I feel so at peace.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com