Chicago last dance for Megan Rapinoe as she calls time on career

USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe will finally bring the curtain down on her international career next month as the USA face South Africa on 24 September at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Rapinoe is only set to be involved in the second game of the double header as the US will also face the Banyana Banyana three days earlier on 21 September in Cincinnati.

The OL Reign player is set to end her international career with 203 caps and is the 14th American to reach 200 games played for her country. The striker has also bagged 63 career goals and delivered 73 assists in her time with the USWNT. Rapinoe also made her mark off the field for her strong views on major social issues and she was one of the key instigators in securing equal pay for the women’s national team after a long legal tussle with US Soccer.

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World Cup legend

Rapinoe has played in four Women’s World Cups, having represented the USA in 2011 in Germany, 2015 in Canada, 2019 in France and 2023 in Australia and New Zealand, famously helping win two World Cup titles. She also played in the 2004 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Thailand as well as the Olympic Games in England in 2012 (when she won a gold medal), Brazil in 2016 and Japan in 2021 (where she won bronze).

The California born is also planning to call time on her club career with her final regular season match with Seattle based OL Reign scheduled for October 15.

Joy and gratitude

“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.”.