Megan Rapinoe missed the penalty, which handed the United States a defeat to Sweden in a 5-4 penalty shootout. Alex Morgan has scored two goals in her last 17 World Cup games. In the words of American sportscaster and critic Bill Simmons, this performance was below average. Funnily enough, he was still appreciative of their past achievements and expected the same from both veterans.
Simmons added, “This is the striker. This is the one who’s supposed to be the most dangerous player on the field. We gotta keep propping her up, pretending she’s a superstar. She’s not a superstar.” Being hypercritical of their performances, the renowned journalist believed that it happened because of the high standards the USWNT has set in recent years.
As the USWNT will have to wait four years before they can avenge these results, it’s undoubtedly a new period for the team, probably without the two players. Bill Simmons said that Megan Rapinoe looked like ‘Udonis Rapinoe,’ having come only for 25 minutes and then going further to miss the penalty. Simmons isn’t impressed with the celebrity status that the pair enjoy, without having to deliver for it when needed.
While her last game with the national team might have hardly been poetic, it certainly sets the standard for the new generation to follow. The team will need a revamp and a new strategy in the years to come if they want to return to the top of the league.
Megan Rapinoe has had an illustrious career
Very few people dream of playing football as kids, doing everything to make ends meet, and making a career out of it. Such was the case with Megan Ann Rapinoe. She grew up in California and had her father as her mentor and coach in her early years. She represented the University of Portland Pilots before signing her first professional contract with the Chicago Red Stars for the inaugural Women’s Professional Soccer season.
Rapinoe went on to play for various clubs throughout her career and was constantly named to the All-Star teams. In 2013, she signed for Olympique Lyonnais, where she made 14 appearances and scored five goals. She then signed for the Seattle Reign and has continued with the club ever since as a prolific winger with 47 goals in 102 caps. While the forward has won four league titles with clubs, her honors with the national team are certainly unbound.
With two World Cups and an Olympic Gold Medal, she is also the winner of the Women’s Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best Player awards. As she announces her retirement this season, it will undoubtedly be challenging for the country to produce another legend like her.
In case you missed:
ncG1vNJzZmiemafAtb%2FPqKmtsl6YvK57xaimrZqRobluusSwqmaamaG5br%2FIpqSopqNiwaK4yqxkmpqfqsFuucSgmKdlopa9qrrOnmSapJWteq670aCYp2WWpLy1rsClo2avk2KyubXTaA%3D%3D