U.S. soccer legend Megan Rapinoe went down in the third minute of her final professional soccer game against Gotham FC on Saturday night at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium.
In the third minute of play time, Rapinoe fell. She did not appear to trip and was not tackled.
Rapinoe went down while defending Gotham midfielder Maitane Lopez, who had just taken a pass from her own goalkeeper and was making her way up the field. Rapinoe cut Lopez off and forced a backpass, but planted her foot wrong, prompting the fall. She went down grabbing her right ankle or lower leg.
She was unable to get up and was met on the field by medical personnel. After a few minutes sitting on the field, and after shedding a few tears, Rapinoe was helped up and limped off the field. A stretcher was brought out for her but she did not use it.
Bethany Balcer was subbed into the game in Rapinoe’s place.
All eyes were on Rapinoe as she entered the pro stadium one final time after a lengthy career that featured numerous big wins that happened on and off the field.
Rapinoe extended her career by one more match last Sunday when her OL Reign defeated host San Diego Wave FC, 1-0, in the National Women’s Soccer League semifinals.
OL Reign advanced to the NWSL title match with a single goal early in the second half by forward Veronica Latsko.
Latsko also carried the team in its quarterfinal bout against Angel City FC, which OL Reign won 1-0 with her late-game goal.
Rapinoe’s OL Reign will face another U.S. Women’s National Team stalwart in tonight’s match, Gotham FC’s Ali Krieger, who has also announced her retirement.
While Rapinoe was limping off the field, Krieger ran up to her to give her a hug.
Rapinoe, 38, announced over the summer that she would be hanging up her cleats after the NWSL season.
The Redding, California, native will be leaving competitive soccer as one of America’s most durable and accomplished female athletes of all time, having played on four World Cup teams and four Olympic sides.
Her squads earned the World Cup trophy twice (in 2015 and 2019) and were awarded gold and bronze Olympic medals in 2021 and 2012, respectively.
