Megan Rapinoe, the renowned soccer icon and two-time World Cup winner, bid farewell to her National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) career in a heartwarming sendoff, played in front of a record-breaking crowd of 34,130 at Lumen Field in Seattle. In her final regular-season home game for OL Reign, Rapinoe played in a scoreless draw against the Washington Spirit.
Throughout her illustrious 11-season NWSL career, Rapinoe has been an integral part of OL Reign and played a pivotal role in shaping the team’s identity. Her farewell match took place at Lumen Field, which is also the home stadium of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.
Reflecting on her time in Seattle, Rapinoe, 38, said, “It just feels like home. It was always the safest place. This was just always the place where I could be myself.”
To honor Rapinoe’s remarkable career, her teammates wore number 15 warm-up shirts before the match. A touching video tribute featuring sports legends like tennis pioneer Billie Jean King and Seattle baseball great Ken Griffey Jr. played on the stadium’s big screen.
During her on-field remarks after the match, the Olympic champion and 2019 Ballon d’Or winner expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am a little bit at a loss for words. To be able to play here my whole career, in one city… it’s just really special to be able to have this.”
Rapinoe had previously retired from international play, donning the U.S. crest for the last time in a friendly against South Africa last month. Her fourth and final World Cup campaign in 2023 ended disappointingly as the U.S. team suffered their worst-ever performance, exiting the tournament in the Round of 16.
While the draw on Friday was not the result OL Reign had hoped for in their playoff pursuit, it was a night dedicated to celebrating the remarkable career of Megan Rapinoe. Both sides paid tribute to her, with players from each team hugging Rapinoe as she left the field, greeted by cheers from the adoring crowd, which included her five-time Olympic basketball gold medalist fiancée, Sue Bird.
In closing, Rapinoe shared her gratitude, stating, “It’s been such an incredible journey. Thank you – to everyone.”
