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Women’s soccer icon Megan Rapinoe had her career end less than three minutes into the NWSL Championship on Saturday as she suffered a non-contact injury. The Rapinoe injury cast a shadow over Gotham FC’s 2-1 victory vs. OL Reign.
In a match that was highly advertised as Megan Rapinoe vs. Ali Krieger in both of their final games, Rapinoe’s unfortunate injury took all the headlines.
Rapinoe, 38, and Krieger, 39, entered Saturday’s NWSL Championship knowing it was their final professional game. What no one knew was that Rapinoe’s night would be over in the third minute.
Some have speculated that Rapinoe suffered a calf or Achilles injury, but here was the moment she went down and was substituted out of the game. Krieger and Rapinoe exchanged a hug before the OL Reign forward left the field.
Megan Rapinoe injury in NWSL Championship
No-contact injury for Megan Rapinoe, she's come off pic.twitter.com/eRlPQ5aXhB
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) November 12, 2023
Megan Rapinoe goes down with an injury less than three minutes into the NWSL Final in her last career game
She receives a standing ovation from Snapdragon Stadium pic.twitter.com/uwqG2epzMK— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) November 12, 2023
We love you, Pinoe pic.twitter.com/W9hwe5vJuF
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 12, 2023
Rapinoe has been one of if not the biggest figures for the growth of women’s soccer in the United States. She’s spent a decade with OL Reign and many more with the USWNT. Her voice has been one of the loudest in activism for equal pay, LGBTQ+ and civil rights.
She’d never won an NWSL Championship before and came agonizingly close before the injury ruled her out. Despite the injury she became OL Reign’s biggest supporter on the sideline.
Megan Rapinoe smiling on the sidelines pic.twitter.com/0TMnx2VvT4
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 12, 2023
Gotham FC and Krieger deserve plenty of credit for their victory. Lynn Williams opened the scoring with a close-range effort after a beautiful run from Midge Purce. Saucy stuff from Purce.
MIDGE PURCE SKILLS. LYNN WILLIAMS FINISH. @GOTHAMFC STRIKE FIRST IN THE NWSL FINAL!!! pic.twitter.com/649ecZmTxS
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) November 12, 2023
USWNT star Rose Lavelle leveled the game for OL Reign in the 29th minute with a composed finish.
ROSE LAVELLE SAID NOT SO FAST
GAME ON!!!! pic.twitter.com/3pjtW4X2Zj— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) November 12, 2023
Gotham retook the lead on the stroke of halftime. Purce played provider again, however this time from a corner kick as Esther González found the back of the net with a perfect header.
ESTHER GONZÁLES? MORE LIKE ESTHER GOLAZO! pic.twitter.com/0UDU30Qn9c
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) November 12, 2023
OL Reign had their chances to find the equalizer in the second half. Perhaps the best chance came when Lavelle found a clinical through ball to Veronica Latsko in the 60th minute, however Gotham keeper Mandy Haught came up with a big save.
Veronica Latsko was looking for her third goal in three games, but Mandy Haught is not easy to beat
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) November 12, 2023
The NWSL Championship had a climactic end when Haught was sent off after handling the ball outside the box in the final minutes. Midfielder Nealy Martin had to step in as goalkeeper for the final free kick, but Lavelle couldn’t get her shot past the wall.
Mandy Haught is sent off after VAR review and @OLReign have a last opportunity
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 12, 2023
Gotham survived the late scare, won their first-ever NWSL Championship and sent Krieger off with a bang.
SCENES AS GOTHAM FC SECURE THEIR FIRST NWSL TITLE
WHAT A MOMENT✨ pic.twitter.com/aksguieP95— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) November 12, 2023
YOUR 2023 NWSL CHAMPIONS, @GOTHAMFC pic.twitter.com/UkuQqmB4ME
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) November 12, 2023
Legends.
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) November 12, 2023
