Megan Rapinoe

About

Megan Rapinoe is a star American Women's Soccer player who became globally famous for her performance in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, in which she won both the Golden Boot, awarded to the player who scored the most goals in the tournament, and the Golden Ball, awarded to the player who was judged best overall player in the tournament. She also made headlines during the tournament for anti-Trump stance and celebratory poses after she scored several important goals.

History

Megan Rapinoe was born July 5th, 1985, in Redding, California.^[1] Her professional playing career began at the age of 17, when she began playing with the Elk Grove Pride of the Women's Premier Soccer League.^[2] She attended the University of Portland and played with the Portland Pilots from 2005-2008, then was selected with the second overall pick by the Chicago Red Stars in the 2009 inaugural draft of the Women's Professional Soccer league. She has played with the Philadelphia Independence, Sydney FC, Seattle Sounders, Olympique Lyonnais, and the Seattle Reign.

Rapinoe debuted for the US Women's National Team on July 23rd, 2006 in a friendly against Ireland. She delivered an important assist in the 2011 World Cup in the US's game against Brazil in the 122nd minute, helping the team tie the game with the latest goal scored in World Cup History.

She helped lead the US Women's team to a Gold Medal at the 2012 Olympics in London. She also helped lead the team to a win at the 2015 Women's World Cup. During the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, she became one of the most popular players in the tournament. This is due to her excellent play as well as her outspoken political activism; Rapinoe has partaken in #TakeAKnee protests and has refused to sing the American national anthem at games, saying "I'll probably never put my hand over my heart again" due to problems she has with American racial, sexual and gender inequality.^[3] During the World Cup, Rapinoe, asked if her team would make the traditional visit to the White House if her team won, said "I'm not going to the fucking White House." She then added, "We're not gonna be invited…. I doubt it" (shown below).

“I’m not going to the fucking White House.” – mPinoe pic.twitter.com/sz1ADG2WdT

— Eight by Eight (8by8mag) June 25, 2019

This led to a response from President Donald Trump, who tweeted:^[4]

"Women’s soccer player, @mPinoe, just stated that she is 'not going to the F…ing White House if we win.' Other than the NBA, which now refuses to call owners, owners (please explain that I just got Criminal Justice Reform passed, Black unemployment is at the lowest level…in our Country’s history, and the poverty index is also best number EVER), leagues and teams love coming to the White House. I am a big fan of the American Team, and Women’s Soccer, but Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job! We haven’t yet….invited Megan or the team, but I am now inviting the TEAM, win or lose. Megan should never disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag, especially since so much has been done for her & the team. Be proud of the Flag that you wear. The USA is doing GREAT!"

The USA ultimately won the World Cup, with Rapinoe being awarded the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards. Twitter users posted jokes about how the victory and Rapinoe's goal in the final being ways to fire back at Trump who said she should "win first" (examples shown below).

Online Presence

On social media, Megan Rapinoe has over 779,000 followers,^[5] 407,000 likes on Facebook,^[6] and over 1.5 million followers on Instagram.^[7]

Related Memes

Megan Rapinoe's Goal Celebration

Megan Rapinoe's Goal Celebration refers to a pose struck by US Women's National Soccer Team player Megan Rapinoe after scoring the opening goal in her team's quarterfinals game against France in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. The pose inspired jokes which used it as a reaction image, paired with captions describing moments of pride or self-satisfaction.

On June 28th, 2019, the US Women's National Soccer Team played France in the quarterfinals of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. Early in the game, Megan Rapinoe scored on a free kick. Afterwards, she celebrated by striking a pose in front of the crowd (shown below).

The pose was immediately noticed by viewers. Sports writer Bill Simmons called it one of his favorite sports pictures of the decade, gaining over 5,900 retweets and 65,000 likes (shown below, left). Many, including Bleacher Report, noticed that her pose was similar to that of the signature pose of WWE superstar Randy Orton (shown below, right). Orton tweeted saying Rapinoe "knows how to celebrate."

She repeated the pose in the United States 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in the final of the tournament.

Personal Life

Rapinoe has been out as a gay woman since her first year of college.^[8] She has publicly dated Australian soccer player Sarah Walsh, recording artist Sera Cahoone, and is currently dating WNBA star Sue Bird. She has done philanthropic work for the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network as well as the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. She, along with 27 other members of the U.S. Women's Team, are currently suing the United States Soccer Federation for pay discrimination, as the US Women's Team makes far less money than the Men's.

Search Interest

External References