Megan Rapinoe is a celebrated figure in American soccer, recognized for her contributions to both club and international levels. As a winger, she notably played for Seattle Reign FC and the United States national team. Her accolades include the prestigious Ballon d'Or Féminin and The Best FIFA Women's Player award in 2019. Rapinoe achieved significant success with the national team, securing gold medals in the 2012 and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cups and the 2012 London Summer Olympics. Her leadership qualities were evident during her co-captaincy of the national team from 2018 to 2020. Beyond her international achievements, Rapinoe's career encompassed stints with prominent clubs like the Chicago Red Stars, Philadelphia Independence, and Lyon Women.
Megan Rapinoe was born on July 5, 1985.
In 1999, Michelle Akers, a prominent figure in US Women's Soccer, won the Golden Boot award at the Women's World Cup.
Megan Rapinoe's soccer journey continued in 1999 when she joined the under-14 Northern California state Olympic Development Program (ODP) team.
In 2002, Megan Rapinoe advanced to the regional Olympic Development Program (ODP) team.
Megan Rapinoe participated in her first training camp with the United States under-19 women's national soccer team in January 2003, which took place in Chula Vista, California
On March 1, 2003, Megan Rapinoe scored her first goal while playing for the United States under-19 soccer team in a match against Mexico.
In July 2003, Megan Rapinoe traveled with the United States under-19 women's national soccer team on a European tour, competing against teams from the Netherlands and Germany.
In 2004, Megan Rapinoe played a significant role in two major tournaments. She scored three goals in the 2004 CONCACAF Under-19 qualifying tournament. At the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in Thailand, she led the team in scoring with three goals, including one in the third-place match victory against Brazil.
In 2004, Megan Rapinoe was recognized for her exceptional high school soccer skills by being named to the McDonald's All-American Girls High School Soccer West Team.
Megan Rapinoe participated in the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship, where the United States finished third. Consequently, she did not play college soccer that year.
As a freshman in 2005, Megan Rapinoe played a pivotal role in the Portland Pilots' undefeated season, culminating in an NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship.
By 2005, Megan Rapinoe had concluded her time with the United States under-19 team, having made 21 appearances and scored nine goals during her tenure.
On July 23, 2006, Megan Rapinoe made her debut for the United States women's national soccer team during a friendly match against Ireland.
Megan Rapinoe scored her first two goals for the United States women's national soccer team on October 1, 2006, during a friendly match against Taiwan.
During a match against Washington State University on October 5, 2006, Megan Rapinoe experienced her first setback in the form of a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
In 2007, Megan Rapinoe faced another challenge when she suffered her second season-ending ACL injury just two games into the season.
Megan Rapinoe suffered an ACL injury in 2007, causing her to miss the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup.
After a period of recovery from her second ACL injury, Megan Rapinoe made a determined comeback for the 2008 season. She was a consistent presence in the starting lineup for all 22 games of the Pilots' season.
Megan Rapinoe experienced another ACL injury in 2008, which led to her absence from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Megan Rapinoe's outstanding performance earned her a spot on the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) All-Star Team in August 2009, leading to her participation in the 2009 WPS All-Star Game against Swedish Damallsvenskan champions Umeå.
At the 2009 Algarve Cup, Megan Rapinoe scored the game-winning goal against Norway. The U.S. reached the final but lost in a penalty shootout to Sweden.
Megan Rapinoe began dating Australian soccer player Sarah Walsh in 2009.
Megan Rapinoe returned to the national team in 2009 after recovering from two ACL injuries and became the leading scorer with five points, including two goals and one assist.
After the Chicago Red Stars ceased operations, Rapinoe signed with the expansion team Philadelphia Independence in December 2010. She participated in four games and netted one goal before being traded to MagicJack.
Megan Rapinoe continued her career with the Chicago Red Stars in 2010, starting in 19 out of the 20 games she played.
On August 17, 2011, Rapinoe scored a pivotal goal for MagicJack, securing a 3-1 victory against the Boston Breakers in the semi-final match and propelling the team to the championship final.
In October 2011, Rapinoe joined Australian W-League team Sydney FC as a guest player for a brief stint, scoring a crucial goal in her second game to secure a win for Sydney against Melbourne Victory.
On October 25, 2011, the Women's Professional Soccer league (WPS) made the decision to terminate the MagicJack franchise, making Rapinoe and many of her teammates free agents for the 2012 season.
Megan Rapinoe played for the USWNT in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, where the team finished second.
During the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, Megan Rapinoe scored a goal against Colombia and celebrated by singing Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." into a microphone.
Following her performance in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, Megan Rapinoe's hometown of Redding, California, celebrated her achievements with a parade and declared September 10th "Megan Rapinoe Day".
On February 12, 2012, Megan Rapinoe's achievements were recognized at the 60th annual Oregon Sports Awards where she was presented with the prestigious Harry Glickman Professional Female Athlete of the Year award.
Megan Rapinoe was featured in the July 2012 edition of Out magazine.
In July 2012, Megan Rapinoe publicly came out as gay in an interview with Out magazine, where she also shared about her relationship with Australian soccer player Sarah Walsh.
Megan Rapinoe was featured in an article in the August 6, 2012, issue of Sports Illustrated.
Megan Rapinoe's talent earned her a spot on the shortlist for the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award on October 25, 2012, marking her as one of the top female soccer players globally.
On November 10, 2012, the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center honored Megan Rapinoe with the Board of Directors Award, recognizing her efforts in raising awareness for LGBT individuals in the realm of sports.
Fox Soccer aired a special feature titled "Fox Soccer Exclusive: Megan Rapinoe" in November 2012, focusing on her career and impact.
The Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league suspended its operations in early 2012, leaving many players, including Rapinoe, seeking new opportunities.
Megan Rapinoe was part of the USWNT that won the gold medal at the 2012 London Summer Olympics.
Megan Rapinoe played a key role in the United States winning the gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, including scoring the game-winning goal against Colombia.
Megan Rapinoe had a career-best year in 2012, recording eight goals and 12 assists for the United States women's national soccer team.
In 2012, Rapinoe, alongside other national team members, played for the Seattle Sounders Women while preparing for the Olympics. Her presence, along with other national team players, significantly boosted attendance for the team's games.
Rapinoe made her UEFA Women's Champions League debut in the 2012-2013 season, playing a significant role in Lyon's campaign, scoring goals in the quarterfinal and semifinal matches, and becoming the fifth American woman to play in a Champions League final.
Rapinoe joined the powerhouse French team Lyon in January 2013, signing a six-month contract and making her debut in the UEFA Women's Champions League.
Megan Rapinoe was named Player of the Tournament at the 2013 Algarve Cup, a testament to her significant contributions to the US team's victory.
Megan Rapinoe graced the cover of Curve magazine's March 2013 edition.
An article about Megan Rapinoe's experiences in France, her journey with the national team, and her public coming out before the 2012 Olympics was published in The New York Times on April 11, 2013.
On June 20, 2013, during a friendly match against South Korea, Megan Rapinoe provided the corner kick assist for Abby Wambach's 159th international goal, which broke the world record for most international goals.
Following an impressive performance with two goals and an assist in a win against the Chicago Red Stars, Megan Rapinoe was recognized as the NWSL Player of the Week for Week 16 of the 2013 season.
Rapinoe returned to Lyon for the 2013-14 season, netting three goals in eight appearances. She also participated in the Champions League, scoring a goal in a match against Twente, though Lyon was eliminated in the Round of 16.
Rapinoe joined Seattle Reign in 2013, making a significant impact upon arrival. The team had struggled before her arrival but her presence, along with the addition of Hope Solo and strategic changes, led to improved performance and a turnaround in the league.
Megan Rapinoe's activism was recognized in 2013 when she received the Board of Directors Award from the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center.
Megan Rapinoe and Sarah Walsh ended their relationship in 2013 after being together for approximately five years.
In 2013, Megan Rapinoe secured endorsement deals with Nike, Samsung, clothing company Wildfang, and medical device company DJO Global.
In 2013, Megan Rapinoe became an ambassador for Athlete Ally, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion and ending homophobia and transphobia in sports.
Megan Rapinoe was named Player of the Tournament at the 2013 Algarve Cup, even though she missed the final due to an injury.
In January 2014, Rapinoe decided to return to Seattle Reign, cutting her time short with Lyon to play the full 2014 season with the NWSL team.
Megan Rapinoe was featured in ESPN's The Body Issue in July 2014.
Megan Rapinoe's athletic accomplishments earned her induction into the Shasta County Sports Hall of Fame in December 2014, solidifying her legacy in her home region.
In 2014, despite facing a foot injury early in the season, Rapinoe's return and performance were crucial for Seattle Reign. Her contributions helped the team achieve a strong record and secure the NWSL Shield for winning the regular season. Though they made it to the championship final, they were defeated by Kansas City.
Megan Rapinoe and musician Sera Cahoone announced their engagement in August 2015.
EA Sports ranked Megan Rapinoe as the No. 2 women's player in their FIFA 16 video game, released in September 2015. This marked the first time female players were included in the popular video game franchise.
During the 2015 World Cup, Megan Rapinoe chose to stand in silence during the national anthem. She also voiced her opposition to the use of artificial turf in the tournament, marking the first instance of its kind in a senior women's or men's World Cup.
Following their historic victory at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, Megan Rapinoe and her teammates were honored with a ticker tape parade in New York City, a first for a women's sports team. They also received keys to the city from Mayor Bill de Blasio.
In 2015, Megan Rapinoe was recognized for her advocacy and impact on the LGBT community within the sports world with her induction into the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame.
In the opening game of the 2015 season against Western New York Flash, Rapinoe achieved her first professional hat trick and added an assist, leading the Reign to a resounding 5-1 victory. This earned her the NWSL Player of the Week honor for the first week of the season.
Megan Rapinoe tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in late 2015 while training for a Victory Tour match.
Megan Rapinoe won the FIFA Women's World Cup with the USWNT in 2015.
On September 4, 2016, Megan Rapinoe first knelt during the national anthem at a game against the Chicago Red Stars. This action, mirroring Colin Kaepernick's protest, was done to bring attention to racial injustice and minority oppression, sparking controversy and national discussion.
In September 2016, Megan Rapinoe garnered national attention when she knelt during the national anthem at an international soccer match. This act was in solidarity with NFL player Colin Kaepernick's protest against racial injustice.
Despite criticism, Megan Rapinoe continued her protest on September 15, 2016, by kneeling during the national anthem at a game against Thailand. This led to a formal statement from US Soccer expressing disapproval and outlining the expectation to stand during the anthem. Rapinoe responded by criticizing the organization's stance and vowed to likely never sing the national anthem again.
Megan Rapinoe appeared in commercials for Energy Brands' Vitamin Water and was featured in a Nike commercial alongside soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo in 2016.
Megan Rapinoe, Hope Solo, and Crystal Dunn, all members of the U.S. Women's National Soccer team, were featured in a docu-series titled "Keeping Score". The series, broadcast on Fullscreen, followed their journey as they prepared for the 2016 Rio Olympics and shed light on important issues like equal pay and racism in sports.
Megan Rapinoe was involved in the U.S. women's national soccer team's equal pay complaint, filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Megan Rapinoe began dating basketball player Sue Bird in late 2016.
In January 2017, Megan Rapinoe confirmed that her wedding plans with Sera Cahoone were still underway.
In September 2017, Megan Rapinoe and teammate Alex Morgan joined the "Common Goal" campaign, a charitable initiative started by Juan Mata of Manchester United. As part of the campaign, they pledged to donate 1% of their salaries to support soccer-related charities. They were the first two women to join this initiative.
In 2018, Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird made history as the first same-sex couple to be featured on the cover of ESPN's The Body Issue.
Megan Rapinoe, alongside Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan, was named co-captain of the USWNT in 2018.
Megan Rapinoe joined other prominent female athletes, including Serena Williams, Simone Biles, Ibtihaj Muhammad, and Chloe Kim, in Nike's empowering "Dream Crazier" ad. The commercial aired during the 2019 Oscars.
In March 2019, Megan Rapinoe, along with 27 of her U.S. Women's soccer teammates, filed a lawsuit against the United States Soccer Federation. The lawsuit alleged gender discrimination and aimed to achieve equal pay for the women's team.
Megan Rapinoe was selected for her third FIFA Women's World Cup appearance in May 2019.
Rapinoe's lasting impact and contribution to the Seattle Reign were officially recognized in September 2019 when she, alongside eight other individuals, was named a Reign Legend, joining a prestigious group of 36 previous honorees.
In December 2019, Megan Rapinoe publicly endorsed Elizabeth Warren for the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.
In 2019, Megan Rapinoe achieved a significant milestone by winning both the Ballon d'Or Féminin and The Best FIFA Women's Player award.
Megan Rapinoe gained sponsorships from prominent brands such as Procter & Gamble, BodyArmor, Hulu, LUNA Bar, and VISA in 2019.
Megan Rapinoe led the United States to victory in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. She was awarded the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer (with six goals) and the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. At age 34, she became the oldest woman to score in a World Cup final.
Megan Rapinoe's outstanding performance at the 2019 Women's World Cup in France earned her both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards. She became the second American woman to achieve this after Michelle Akers in 1999, marking a historic moment in her career.
Following their win at the 2019 Women's World Cup, the US Women's Soccer team, including Megan Rapinoe, was celebrated with a ticker tape parade in New York City and a reception at City Hall hosted by Robin Roberts. They were also invited to the national capitol by prominent politicians.
In a groundbreaking moment, Megan Rapinoe became the first openly gay woman to be featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2019. That same year, she was featured on the covers of various magazines, including Sports Illustrated, Marie Claire, and InStyle.
Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird announced their engagement on October 30, 2020, solidifying their relationship.
Megan Rapinoe released her autobiography, "One Life," in November 2020. The book delves into her personal life, career, and activism, quickly becoming a New York Times bestseller and being optioned for television by Sony Pictures Television.
Sony Pictures Television secured the rights to adapt Megan Rapinoe's best-selling memoir, "One Life," into a scripted TV series in December 2020.
Megan Rapinoe hosted a panel discussion featuring frontline workers of the COVID-19 pandemic during the opening night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Megan Rapinoe's influence extended beyond the soccer field, as she was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in 2020.
Megan Rapinoe's influence extended beyond the soccer field, earning her the Best in Sports Shorty Award in 2020, recognizing her impact on social media.
Megan Rapinoe's tenure as co-captain of the USWNT ended in 2020.
In a 2020 interview on NPR's Fresh Air, Megan Rapinoe opened up about her brother's struggles with drug abuse and his subsequent involvement with white supremacist groups during his time in prison.
In 2020, Megan Rapinoe's influence as a style icon led her to sign a contract with international luxury fashion brand Loewe, becoming their spokeswoman.
Megan Rapinoe was part of the United States Women's National Team that competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics, which were held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On August 5, 2021, Megan Rapinoe scored two goals, including an Olimpico, during the bronze medal match against Australia at the 2020 Summer Olympics. The US won the match 4-3.
Rapinoe's outstanding performances in August 2021 earned her the NWSL Player of the Month award. She continued to be a key player for the Reign, serving as co-captain and leading the team to the playoffs.
In September 2021, Megan Rapinoe joined over 500 current and former athletes in signing an amicus brief to the Supreme Court advocating for abortion rights.
Megan Rapinoe was announced as one of the newest faces of Victoria's Secret in 2021 and appeared in advertisements for Subway.
In February 2022, U.S. women's national team coach Vlatko Andonovski did not include Megan Rapinoe on the roster for the SheBelieves Cup.
Megan Rapinoe publicly criticized the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022.
On July 1, 2022, The White House announced that Megan Rapinoe would be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
In a ceremony at the White House on July 7, 2022, President Joe Biden bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom upon Megan Rapinoe, honoring her contributions to sports and social justice.
In July 2022, Megan Rapinoe was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden.
Furthering her presence in the fashion world, Megan Rapinoe designed her own logo and a limited collection for Nike in 2022 called "Victory Redefined."
Megan Rapinoe appeared alongside Becky Sauerbrunn and Sophia Smith in a commercial for ESPN's SportsCenter in January 2023.
On July 8, 2023, Rapinoe shared her decision to retire from professional soccer, marking the end of an era following the conclusion of the 2023 National Women's Soccer League season.
In July 2023, Megan Rapinoe took center stage in a television commercial for Google Pixel, aptly titled "Legend".
On July 17, 2023, Netflix announced that Megan Rapinoe would be one of the prominent figures in their upcoming documentary about the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team's journey in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The docu-series is expected to be released in the fall of 2023.
The US Women's National team lost to Sweden in a penalty shootout in the Round of 16 at the 2023 Women's World Cup, marking the end of Rapinoe's World Cup career. Rapinoe was one of three U.S. players to miss her penalty kick.
Megan Rapinoe was honored with her own character in LEGO's esteemed "Icons of Play" set, solidifying her legacy as a significant figure in the world of sports.