To say OL Reign midfielder Megan Rapinoe has had a decorated career is an understatement. The U.S. soccer icon won two World Cups, played in three countries at the club level and became one of the most recognizable activist-athletes in the history of sports.
However, Rapinoe's career came to an end in gutting fashion on Saturday evening during the NWSL championship in San Diego.
Two minutes into the Reign's match against NJ/NY Gotham FC, Rapinoe pulled up with an apparent non-contact injury. She was removed shortly thereafter, seemingly bringing down the curtain on her 15 years as a professional.
Megan Rapinoe suffered a non-contact injury in the NWSL Final, forcing an early exit in the final match of her career
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 12, 2023
(via @AttackingThird) pic.twitter.com/58Hd2eykYS
We love you, Pinoe 💙 pic.twitter.com/W9hwe5vJuF
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 12, 2023
Gotham FC defender and captain Ali Krieger, a longtime national teammate of Rapinoe's, ran over and embraced the legend.
#NWSLChampionship Ali Krieger coming over to give Megan Rapinoe a hug as she gets subbed off early due to injury#YERRRR #ReignSupreme pic.twitter.com/Sqi2mACXvA
— Taylor Vincent (@tayvincent6) November 12, 2023
Rapinoe announced her retirement at the conclusion of the 2023 NWSL season in July. She represented the United States in the World Cup, in which the Americans were eliminated by Sweden in the round of 16.
