Megan Rapinoe had to leave the final game of her soccer career early, after suffering an injury.
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In Saturday’s (11) NWSL championship game, Rapinoe was in search of the one trophy that she and her team, OL Reign, have yet to achieve. Before the game she said that would “be amazing” and mean “everything” to get the trophy.
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In the third minute, Rapinoe suffered a blow. While pressing an opponent she planted her foot and tried to accelerate toward a center back, and instead she felt a “huge pop” and fell on the pitch. She immediately assumed it was a torn Achilles. Rapinoe left the pitch limping and in tears, and being held by two trainers. She was replaced by left wing Betahny Balcer. Gotham FC won the match 2-1 and also its first NWSL championship.
After the game, Rapinoe said that this was “the worst possible outcome”. “I mean, I don’t deserve this. I’ll tell you that much. I’m a better person than this. I was feeling really good before the game. Wasn’t feeling tight. I guess I just rode it till the wheels really came right off”.
“You don’t always get to have the perfect ending. I’ve had so many perfect endings. I even think back to 2019, that was the most perfect whole script that you could ever write, personally and as a team [at the World Cup]”, she added. She also said that she needed to get an MRI to confirm, but that she was “pretty sure” she tore her Achilles.
Rapinoe also talked about her career and about her “new role” in the game. “I’ve had an incredible career that I never could’ve dreamed of, did s*** that has never been done before. It’s been unbelievable. So I think overall, I do have a real peace, and a deep sense of gratitude, to be able to play this game for as long as I have”.
“I don’t think you can contain me in one entity. I don’t wanna coach, or be locked down into one job. I have an amazing partnership with Nike that runs for four or five more years. I have a production company with Sue that we’re really excited to get more involved in. I have a documentary coming out. The Reign’s soon to be acquired, I would love to stay a part of this group in some kind of way. … And I just wanna be a part of the next business phase of the league”, she concluded.