Megan Rapinoe | USWNT | U.S. Soccer Official Site (2024)

FIRST CAP: July 23, 2006 vs. Republic of Ireland (San Diego, Calif.)
FIRST GOAL: Oct. 1, 2006 vs. Chinese Taipei (two goals; Carson, Calif.)

NaTIONAL TEAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Heading into her fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup, Rapinoe ranks in the top 10 in USWNT history in both goals and assists and is one of the most impactful players – on and off the field – in USWNT history.
• As every sports fan knows, Rapinoe had an epic 2019 as she collected numerous prestigious awards including the Golden Ball and Golden Boot at the World Cup, The Best FIFA Women's Player of the Year, the France Football Ballon d'Or and the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year. Her penalty kick goal in the World Cup Final was her 50th career goal.
• Made three appearances at the 2022 Concacaf W Championship, helping the USA qualify for both the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics.
• A three-time Olympian, Rapinoe helped the USA capture gold at the 2012 London Olympics, highlighted by a two-goal performance in the epic semifinal match against Canada.
• Netted a brace in the 2021 Olympic Bronze Medal match against Australia, become the first player in USWNT history to have multiple multi-goal games at the Olympics.

PREVIOUS WORLD CUP EXPERIENCE

• A two-time Women’s World Cup Champion, Rapinoe won the Golden Ball as the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup best player and the Golden Boot as the top scorer with six goals and three assists.
• After scoring in the group stage opener against Thailand in 2019, Rapinoe scored both goals in the USA’s Round of 16 win over Spain and tallied twice again in the epic quarterfinal victory over France before converting the game-winning penalty kick in the final against the Netherlands.
• A member 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup champions, she played 462 minutes while starting six games (missing the quarterfinal vs. China PR due to yellow card suspension).
• Played in all six games in the 2011 World Cup, starting the group match against Sweden and the World Cup Final while recording one goal and three assists throughout the tournament.
• Rapinoe world-wide recognition for sending in the cross that Abby Wambach headed home in the dying seconds of extra time against Brazil in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinal.

CLUB HIGHLIGHTS

• An 11-year-veteran of the NWSL, Rapinoe has spent her entire NWSL career in Seattle, helping the franchise win three NWSL Shields (2014, 2015, 2022)
• In 2018, Rapinoe was a finalist for NWSL and was named to the NWSL Best XI.
• Played briefly in France for Olympique Lyonnais, helping Lyon win both the Coupe de France and league titles in the 2012-13 season.

PERSONAL

• Daughter of Denise and Jim Rapinoe, she has five siblings including a twin sister, Rachael.
• Engaged to WNBA legend Sue Bird.
• On July 1, 2022, it was announced that Rapinoe had been selected by President Joe Biden to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, which she received at the White House on July 7.
• Rapinoe is the first soccer player to receive the award and one of just six female athletes or coaches to be so honored along with fellow 2022 recipient and Olympic gold medal gymnast Simone Biles, tennis player and women’s rights pioneer Billie Jean King, 1932 Summer Olympics track and field gold medalist and professional golfer Babe Didrikson Zaharias, women’s basketball legend Pat Summitt and professional golfer Annika Sörenstam.