Rapinoe ends career with injury, loss in title game
SAN DIEGO — OL Reign winger Megan Rapinoe said that her early exit because of an injury during a 2-1 loss to NJ/NY Gotham FC in the NWSL championship was “the worst possible outcome” for the final game of her professional career.
“It felt like just a huge pop,” Rapinoe said about her non-contact injury that forced a substitution during the sixth minute at Snapdragon Stadium, which she feared was a torn Achilles tendon. “The worst possible outcome, I just thank god I have like a f—ing deep well of sense of humor, but yeah, I mean, just obviously devastating to go out in the final so early.”
The 38-year-old, who recently retired from the U.S. women’s national team after her 203rd appearance in a farewell match over the summer, added: “That’s life, it’s part of the game. I was feeling really good before the game, wasn’t feeling tight or wasn’t having calf issues or anything. You don’t always get to have the perfect ending.”
After her substitution in the first half and the introduction of Bethany Balcer in her place, the Reign eventually found themselves with a 2-1 deficit by the final stages of the match. Despite being given a late lifeline through a red card to Gotham goalkeeper Mandy Haught during injury time, the Reign were unable to find a late equalizer that would have pushed the game to extra time.
On the other end of the field with Gotham, Rapinoe’s former USWNT teammate Ali Krieger was also taking part in the last game of her career. When Rapinoe sustained her first half injury, Krieger embraced her longtime friend and fellow NWSL veteran.
“Obviously so happy for her. So happy for her to be able to go out like this on an incredible career,” Rapinoe said about Krieger’s title with Gotham, then later joking that her injury “gave” Krieger the championship.
As for the state of the field at Snapdragon Stadium, which has recently been criticized for the small divots and fading logos left by San Diego State University’s football team, Rapinoe noted that the pitch had nothing to do with her injury.
“I wish, right? No, I don’t think so,” the winger said. “These things are, they just sort of happen, happened how they happen.”
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Regarding her recovery, Rapinoe was blunt.
“I’m most upset that I’m now just a ‘NARP’, a normal-ass regular person having to do rehab, which is f—ing devastating,” she said. “It’s just f—ed up.”
Although she wasn’t able to close out her illustrious career with what could have been her first-ever NWSL title, the Olympic gold medalist remained positive about her professional run that was kickstarted by a USWNT debut in 2006.
“I feel so lucky and so grateful to have played as long as I’ve played and to have played with the incredible players that I’ve played [with],” Rapinoe said. “Every sort of new cycle that I’ve come with, I’ve gotten close to certain players and built relationships and played with some of the very best players in the world.”
Looking ahead to off-the-field business ventures and a partnership with Nike, she highlighted that soccer fans haven’t seen the last of her just yet.
“I’m looking forward to retirement,” said Rapinoe. “I’m retiring on the field, but you’ll definitely be seeing a lot of me off of it.”
Guided by two assists from Midge Purce and a game-winner from Spanish international Esther González, Gotham claimed their first NWSL title on Saturday at Snapdragon. Purce, 28, was selected at the championship MVP.
