Megan Rapinoe announced today that she is retiring at the end of the 2023 season.
At a press conference prior to the send off match for the USWNT, Rapinoe announced and discussed her announcement and what that means for her in 2023 and beyond.
Rapinoe has become a fixture in the Seattle area over the past almost dozen years; first playing several matches for the Seattle Sounders Women in 2012 prior to the London Olympics with many of her national team teammates, and then since 2013 as a core member of the Reign.
As she heads to her fourth and final world cup, she leaves behind an impressive soccer legacy. There are the two world cup wins, the iconic pose, the long stoppage time cross to Abby, the Olimpico, over 50 goals in all competitions for the Reign, NWSL Shields, heartbreaking championship losses, and that is just scratching the surface.
She has taken control of the timing and narrative on the end of her career by announcing it now. It is not lingering over the season. It is not lingering over the tournament. The questions are being asked and answered and we all simply know now. This is her fourth and final world cup. This is the last season she will play with the Reign. October 6 in Seattle is now known to be her last regular season home match.
Her career has been stellar on the field. Off the field she has had a huge impact. By kneeling and publicly supporting Colin Kaepernick as an out queer female athlete, she took the brunt of significant backlash. By simply being an out queer female athlete, she is living her life in an incredibly public manner. Her relationships have been very public. She stands tall, takes questions, and moves forward.
I have had the opportunity to cover the Reign for almost a decade here in Seattle for Prost, being the home match beat writer and speaking with her on numerous occasions. She gives her time. She has answered direct questions with direct answers in very difficult times and in amazingly exciting ones.
After the world cup in 2019 her time was spread thin. There were awards in Paris, matches in Tacoma, and she still was available to us to discuss the match as she was just dragging. When the 2015 Reign lost an agonizing final in Portland to FCKC, she was the player that was out front to take questions. When I have asked her about crazy moments on the field, there is a running joke between us that she is “always shooting” on goal.
Her role with the USWNT for the 2023 tournament is that of mentor and super sub. She will not be starting and playing a full 90 in 7 matches. Alex Morgan has joked that the team has an age range of “18 through Pinoe”. Her role with the Reign down the stretch will be interesting to watch, as her openly stated love of the club and one last shot at an NWSL crown is a story to watch.
Megan Rapinoe may be retiring as a soccer player in a few months; but with all of the things she is involved in, she will remain a presence.
