The United States Women’s National Team fell to Sweden in penalty kicks on Sunday, and one of the most crucial missed shots from the USWNT came courtesy of United States soccer legend Megan Rapinoe – and she opened up about the brutal miss after the game.
If Megan Rapinoe had made her shot in the penalty shootout, the USWNT likely would have won as Sweden went on to miss their next penalty kick as well. Instead, Sweden pulled ahead in the shootout and knocked the United States out of the tournament, ending Rapinoe’s USWNT career in the process.
Rapinoe could be seen crying on the field after the game and she gave a pretty blunt interview with Fox Sports later.
“I mean this is like a sick joke, for me personally,” Rapinoe said with a laugh. “This is just dark comedy – I missed a penalty.”
As a result of the match, the last play of Rapinoe’s storied USWNT career is a missed penalty.
“This is the balance to the beautiful side of the game,” Rapinoe said. “I think it can be cruel and just not our day.”
Rapinoe went on to express just how grateful she is to have been able to play for the USWNT and represent the United States all these years.
“I still just feel grateful and joyful. I know it’s the end and that’s sad,” Rapinoe said as she began to get choked up.
She will go down as one of the most accomplished players ever to play for the USWNT.
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