USWNT vs South Africa: An Emotional Farewell

Megan Rapinoe defined women’s soccer for well over a decade, and on Sunday night, she bid farewell to her illustrious career on the USWNT in front of 25,000 fans at Soldier Field. It was a comfortable 2-0 victory against South Africa, and a perfect evening to say goodbye to one of the greatest women’s soccer players of all time.

Just like a few nights earlier, the USWNT began the match against South Africa on the front foot. Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan helped generate several chances in the opening minutes, and the squad in general looked to get Rapinoe as involved as possible. The opening goal would come in the 18th minute, thanks to a great delivery by Morgan, who found Trinity Rodman lurking at the back post. The young forward finished the chance with a blistering volley and deservedly opened the score for the US after a positive start to the game.

The second half would see the USWNT again dominate possession and chances. Just four minutes after the break, the US would double its lead thanks to veteran Emily Sonnett. Rapinoe delivered a dangerous corner that was mildly parried away by goalkeeper Andile Dlamini, and Sonnett pounced at the rebound to make it 2-0. Rapinoe would exit the game just a few minutes later to a rousing standing ovation from Soldier Field.

The score wouldn’t move for the rest of the game, and Rapinoe’s 203rd match with the USWNT would end in a win. For many of us who grew up watching her, it was an emotional goodbye, and one that gave us the same goosebumps we got whenever she led the USWNT to World Cup trophies and countless medals. Her victories were ours, and above what she made us feel on the pitch, her impact off the field during those years can’t be understated either. A champion of our sport any way you slice it. Although there was no silverware on the line on Sunday, it was the perfect goodbye to a player that defined many of our childhoods and early adult years. It was an evening that allowed many of us to simply say thank you for everything she gave to us over the past fifteen years. She left the sport better than she found it, and she proved to a whole generation of Americans that the future of soccer is whatever we choose to make it.

Photography by Shivant Krishnan