It turns out that a round of 16 loss to Sweden in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will not be the last time we see United States Women’s National Team legend Megan Rapinoe on the pitch.
The United States Soccer Federation announced that Rapinoe will officially end her international career on Sept. 24 at Soldier Field in Chicago, as the USWNT finishes a two-game friendly series with South Africa.
The 38-year-old Rapinoe announced ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup that she would be walking away from the sport and hanging up her boots at the end of the 2023 NWSL season. She will play her final regular-season match at Seattle’s Lumen Field on Oct. 6, but her farewell match from the USWNT will come just two weeks beforehand.
“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.”
Regardless of the result of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, this was always going to be Rapinoe’s last run with the United States Women’s National Team. What she didn’t know, though, is that it would end in abject failure, with the U.S. being sent home prematurely in a loss to Sweden. The U.S. National Team legend had a chance to essentially lock up the match with a penalty kick, but she missed. Rapinoe, who was subbed on for co-captain Alex Morgan in the 99th minute, referred to her uncharacteristic miss as a “sick joke.”
But now, she’ll get to say farewell on her own terms.
Rapinoe will end her international career with 203 caps and is the 14th American to reach 200 games played for her country. She has 63 goals and 73 assists for the USWNT, ranking in the top 10 all-time for the U.S. in both categories.