Megan Rapinoe stands over a free kick in her final match for the US Women’s National Team. Photo: Leslie Smith
USA 2-0 South Africa
CHICAGO, IL—Much like Jill Ellis’s farewell at the same venue four years ago, the match was secondary to the event. In this case, it was Megan Rapinoe’s 203rd and final cap for the US Women’s National Team. Much like three nights ago with Julie Ertz, there were attempts to give Rapinoe one final goal to add to her 62, but it was not to be in the end.
Rapinoe would play 53 minutes in her final match with the US National Team. She would set up the second goal of the day for the US off a corner kick that was punched away by South African keeper Andile Diamini, but only as far as Emily Sonnett who would head it into the net in the 49th minute. Diamini would make five saves on the day while the Bayana Bayana was hard pressed just to have moments in attack and would not register any shots.
Trinity Rodman opened the scoring in the 18th minute after getting on the end of a cross from Alex Morgan who earned her fifth assist of the calendar year. Naturally, there were chances for more goals for the USA—including one on a free kick for Rapinoe before being substituted, but that would sail just over the bar. Rapinoe would do her goal celebration alongside Sonnett at the latter’s insistence after scoring.
“It has been such an honour to be able to wear this shirt, play with all these players and live out my childhood dream,” said Rapinoe, who won the Golden Boot, Golden Ball, and Ballon d’Or for her role in the U.S. 2019 World Cup campaign, at the end of the game.
Departures like Rapinoe’s and Ertz’s mark an end of an era for the US Women’s National Team who are looking to rebuild and regain both the gold medal next year in Paris at the Olympics and the next Women’s World Cup in 2027. That starts with hiring a new coach for the women’s team which US Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker promises with happen by the end of the year. Twila Kilgore has been interim coach for these two friendlies this week.
This is the end for Megan Rapinoe for her international career, but there are three matches left at least for her club career at OL Reign. That starts a week from Sunday at home against North Carolina (7pm CT, Paramount+). Her regular season home finale on Friday, October 6th against Washington will be broadcast live on CBS at 7pm CT. Finally, on Sunday, October 15th, she closes the regular season against the team she began her professional career in the Chicago Red Stars (4pm CT, Paramount+). OL Reign currently sit fifth in the NWSL table, two points clear of the playoff line over seventh place Orlando.
But this Sunday at Soldier Field was all about a legend both on and off the pitch. A celebration of one of North American sport’s more influential personalities in recent times in Megan Rapinoe.
SCORING SUMMARY:
USA-Trinity Rodman (Morgan) 18
USA-Emily Sonnett (unassisted) 49
BOOKING SUMMARY:
None
UNITED STATES (4-3-3): #18-Casey Murphy; #19-Crystal Dunn (#23-Emily Fox 65), #12-Tierna Davidson, #4-Naomi Girma (#11-Alana Cook 46), #20-Casey Krueger (#6-Lynn Williams 74); #17-Andi Sullivan; #10-Lindsey Horan, #14-Emily Sonnett (#22-Savannah DeMelo 65); #15-Megan Rapinoe (#16-Midge Purce 54), #13-Alex Morgan (#28-Mia Fishel 65); #25-Trinity Rodman
Subs not used: #1-Alyssa Naeher, #21-Aubrey Kingsbury, #2-Ashley Sanchez, #9-Alyssa Thompson, #26-Jaedyn Shaw, #27-Sam Coffey,
SOUTH AFRICA (4-4-2): #16-Andile Diamini; #7-Karabo Dhlamini (#5-Fikile Magama 67), #3-Bongeka Gamede, #14-Tilsetso Makhubela, #2-Lebogang Ramalepe; #13-Sinoxolo Cesane (#22-Nomvila Kgoale 53), #20-Robyn Moodaly (#17-Melinda Hgadiete 53), #10-Linda Motlhalo, #6-Moxolo Cesane (#9-Gabiela Salgado 67); #11-Thembi Kgatlana, #23-Wendy Shongwe (#19-Kholosa Biyana 81)
Subs not used: #1-Kaylin Swart, #21-Katlego Moletsane, #4-Faith Owusu, #12-Jermaine Seoposenwe, #15-Lonathemba Mhlongo, #17-Melinda Hgadiete
TOTAL SHOTS: USA 19-0 RSA
SHOTS ON GOAL: USA 5-0 RSA
FOULS: USA 6-7 RSA
OFFSIDES: USA 6-0 RSA
CORNER KICKS: USA 4-2 RSA
SAVES: USA 0-5 RSA
Referee: Carly Shaw-McLaren (CAN)
Assistant Referees: Gabrielle Lemieux (CAN), Melissa Snedden (CAN)
4th Official: Becky Pagan (USA)
Attendance: 25,622
Woman of the Match: Trinity Rodman (USA)