Megan Rapinoe exits NWSL championship with injury in final game

SAN DIEGO — OL Reign winger Megan Rapinoe said that her early exit because of an injury during Saturday’s 2-1 loss to NJ/NY Gotham FC in the NWSL championship was “the worst possible outcome” for the final game of her professional career.

“It felt like just a huge pop,” Rapinoe said about her noncontact injury that forced a substitution during the sixth minute at Snapdragon Stadium and that she feared was a torn Achilles tendon. “The worst possible outcome. I just thank god I have like a f—ing deep well of sense of humor. But yeah, I mean, just obviously devastating to go out in the final so early.”

The 38-year-old, who retired from the U.S. women’s national team after her 203rd appearance in a farewell match over the summer, added: “That’s life; it’s part of the game. I was feeling really good before the game, wasn’t feeling tight or wasn’t having calf issues or anything. You don’t always get to have the perfect ending.”

After her substitution in the first half and the introduction of Bethany Balcer in her place, the Reign eventually found themselves with a 2-1 deficit by the final stages of the match. Despite being given a late lifeline through a red card to Gotham goalkeeper Mandy Haught during injury time, the Reign were unable to find a late equalizer that would have pushed the contest to extra time.

On the other end of the field with Gotham, Rapinoe’s former U.S. women’s teammate Ali Krieger also was taking part in the last game of her career. When Rapinoe sustained her first half injury, Krieger embraced her longtime friend and fellow NWSL veteran.

“Obviously, so happy for her. So happy for her to be able to go out like this on an incredible career,” Rapinoe said about Krieger’s title with Gotham, later joking that her injury “gave” Krieger the championship.

As for the state of the field at Snapdragon Stadium, which has recently been criticized for the small divots and fading logos left by the San Diego State football team, Rapinoe noted that the pitch had nothing to do with her injury.

“I wish, right? No, I don’t think so,” the winger said. “These things are — they just sort of happen, happened how they happen.”

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

Regarding her recovery, Rapinoe was blunt.

“I’m most upset that I’m now just a ‘NARP’, a normal-ass regular person having to do rehab, which is f—ing devastating,” she said. “It’s just f—ed up.”

Although she wasn’t able to close out her illustrious career with a first NWSL title, the Olympic gold medalist remained positive about her professional run that was kick-started by her national team debut in 2006.