Controversial USWNT star Megan Rapinoe is set to retire after the clash against South Africa in Chicago

Megan Rapinoe caps off an incredible career with the UWNT with over 200+ appearances.

Controversial USWNT star Megan Rapinoe is set to retire after the clash against South Africa in Chicago

Megan Rapinoe (Source: via Reuters)

This Sunday, Megan Rapinoe will play her final game for the USWNT against South Africa, marking the end of an illustrious career. Throughout her journey, the athlete has faced her fair share of scrutiny for her beliefs and actions. All the time while also winning several titles at both club and national levels.

Megan won an Olympic gold in 2012 and the French league title in the following year. Her defining moment was in 2015 when she won her first World Cup. She repeated this success in 2019, earning the Golden Ball and Boot, along with The Best FIFA Women’s Player award. Despite these accolades, she still faces public criticism.

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For the majority of her career, Megan Rapinoe made headlines for her off-pitch actions rather than her on-field performances. Her most controversial moment occurred when she kneeled during an official football game. This led to accusations of her being an ‘anti-American.’

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The USWNT star responded by saying, “There is a particular kind of baffled outrage reserved by white people for other white people they consider to be ‘betraying’ their race, and that week I felt the full force of it.” However, her former teammate, Hope Solo, countered this by alleging that Rapinoe sometimes pressured other players to kneel.

Now, after deciding to call it quits following the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup shock, Rapinoe will play her final game in Chicago. The City where she first decided to kneel down.

Related: PSG defends the decision to not publicly celebrating Lionel Messi’s 2022 World Cup triumph

Megan Rapinoe’s incredible 2019 World Cup

Megan Rapinoe stole the show at the 2019 Women’s World Cup as the USA dominated their opponents and would lift the trophy, unbeaten in their run. The 34-year-old played a vital role in the Ro16 against Spain where she scored two penalties to help her team qualify for the next round.

Rapinoe was vital in USWNT's 4th World Cup win.
Rapinoe was vital in USA’s 4th World Cup win (Source: via Reuters)

In the Quarter-finals Rapinoe scored a free-kick against France at Parc des Princes to knockout the home nation. Unfortunately, Rapinoe missed the semi-finals against England due to a hamstring injury. The USWNT, however, stood strong and came out victorious as Rapinoe made her way to her 3rd consecutive World Cup final. 

Megan would return for the final game against the Netherlands where she scored from the penalty spot making her the oldest player ever to score in a Women’s World Cup Final. This would lead to Rapinoe winning numerous accolades for her WC performance as she brought home the US’s 4th World Cup.

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