FootyPop: Megan Rapinoe Announces Retirement, Last World Cup and NWSL Season

TEN DAYS. UNTIL THE WOMENโ€™S WORLD CUP!! The excitement continues to build as national teams competed in send-off friendly matches this past week. The USWNT just played Wales and caught their flight down to Australia! Zambia pulled off the upset of all upsets against Germany. In NWSL action, the standings shuffle as the teams adjust to missing players on international duty. Catch up here with the past weekโ€™s womenโ€™s soccer news recap!

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High of the Weekend 

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Trinity Rodman hits top bins in her second goal against Wales. Thanks to Rodman, the USWNT beat Wales 2-0. Sheโ€™s the youngest USWNT player to bag a brace, and did it in stunning fashion.

She came on in the second half, and while it seems like she might be a backup forward, weโ€™re fully supporting Rodmanโ€™s capabilities to be a game-changer from the get-go!

 

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Low of the Weekend

Amandine Henry is unavailable for France after sustaining a calf injury during training. Henry has played for Franceโ€™s senior team since 2009 and is one of the renowned midfielders in womenโ€™s soccer. Itโ€™s a shame that sheโ€™ll miss what could be her last chance to play in a World Cup, but weโ€™re looking forward to her spell with Angel City coming up. 

 

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News of the Weekend

 

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Megan Rapinoe announced this will be her final World Cup and NWSL season. The 37-year-old striker has accomplished nearly every milestone and award imaginable, from the Presidential Medal of Freedom to being a World Cup champion and receiving the Golden Ball and Golden Boot for the 2019 tournament to NWSL honors, and the list goes on. 

Rapinoe has had a legendary career both on and off the field. Her passion to seek justice and equality has changed the lives of so many women in sports and beyond. We know that her legacy will continue even when she retires. 

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Upset of the Weekend 

In a World Cup send-of match, Zambia took on Germany and pulled off one of the most absurd upsets weโ€™ve ever seen. For context, FIFA ranks Zambia 77th and Germany 2nd. 

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Zambia was up 2-0 until second-half stoppage time when Germany came back to level it. However, Zambia captain Barbra Banda called game when she put one more in the back of the net for Zambia in minute 102, leaving the game 3-2. 

 

Goal of the Weekend 

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Rookie Messiah Bright is having ~a season~ Sheโ€™s already scored four goals, the most of any rookie, and looks so confident on the ball. Do I hear Rookie of the Year in the distance?

 

Player of the Weekend 

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The doctor is BACK! Nadia Nadim just returned from her second ACL tear. Her resiliency and grit are inspiring, and we canโ€™t wait to see her get more minutes for Racing Louisville this season.

 

Team of the Weekend 

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The San Diego Wave showed up with PUPPIES before their match against the Spirit. They were all rescue dogs that the team was trying to find homes for. 

 

Transfer of the Weekend 

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Kaditiatou Diani announced sheโ€™d be departing PSG and heading toโ€ฆ Lyon. The 28-year-old striker has played for PSG since 2017, making 114 appearances and scoring 74 goals. Now, sheโ€™s headed to Lyon, one of PSGโ€™s top rivals.

 

Fav Social Media Post 

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The OL Reign teammates had a moment after the USWNT vs. Wales game. 

 

Featured image via Getty Images

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