Megan Rapinoe to Retire at End of National Women's Soccer League 2023 Season
Megan Rapinoe has decided to retire after 17 years as a professional soccer player.
On Saturday (July 8), the 38-year-old United States forward announced her plans to retire at the end of the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League season.
“I’ve been able to have such an incredible career, and this game has brought me all over the world and allowed me to meet so many amazing people,” Megan shared in a statement with U.S. Soccer.
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Megan is preparing to compete with two-time defending champion USWNT in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which runs from July 20 through August 20 in New Zealand and Australia.
“I feel incredibly grateful to have played as long as I have, to be as successful as we’ve been, and to have been a part of a generation of players who undoubtedly left the game better than they found it,” Megan continued. “To be able to play one last World Cup and one last NWSL season and go out on my own terms is incredibly special.”
Megan first joined the OL Reign during the NWSL’s inaugural season in 2013 and holds the club records for goals (48) and assists (25) in 109 matches.
“I want to thank my family for being by my side all these years,” Megan concluded. “Thanks to all my teammates and coaches all the way back to my first days in Redding, on to college at the University of Portland and of course thanks to U.S. Soccer, the Seattle Reign and especially Sue [Bird], for everything. I will forever cherish the friendships and support over the years in this game, and I am beyond excited for one last ride with the National Team and the Reign.”
Megan has won three NWSL Shields with the OL Reign and earned one Best XI and two Second XI selections. She is also the league’s all-time leader with 13 penalty kick goals.
Megan has also earned 199 caps and a 2012 Olympic gold medal along with two World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019. In 2019, she was named Best FIFA Women’s Player and won the Ballon d’Or Feminin.
Megan will play her final regular-season match at Seattle’s Lumen Field on October 6 against the Washington Spirit.