Megan Rapinoe's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Megan Rapinoe.

Megan Rapinoe is a retired American professional soccer player renowned for her skill as a winger. Primarily playing for OL Reign and the United States national team, she achieved significant accolades, including the Ballon d'Or Féminin and The Best FIFA Women's Player in 2019. Rapinoe secured Olympic gold in 2012 and FIFA Women's World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, also contributing to the U.S.'s second-place finish in the 2011 World Cup. She served as co-captain of the national team from 2018 to 2020. Her professional career also included stints with Chicago Red Stars, Philadelphia Independence, and magicJack in the WPS, as well as Lyon Women in France.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1999: Reference to Michelle Akers' Golden Boot

In 2019, it was noted that Megan Rapinoe was the second American to win the Golden Boot at the Women's World Cup, after Michelle Akers achieved the feat in 1999.

2004: All-American Recognition

In 2004, Megan Rapinoe was named to the McDonald's All-American Girls High School Soccer West Team.

2005: NCAA Championship and Awards

In 2005, as a freshman, Megan Rapinoe helped the Portland Pilots to an undefeated season and the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship. She was named NSCAA First Team All-American and West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year. She played and started all 25 games as an attacking midfielder, scoring 15 goals and adding 13 assists.

2008: Return and Recognition

In 2008, Megan Rapinoe returned from her second ACL injury and started in all 22 games for the Pilots. She was named West Coast Conference Player of the Year, Soccer America First-Team All-American, and NSCAA Second Team All-American.

August 2009: All-Star Team Selection

In August 2009, Megan Rapinoe was named to the league's All-Star Team and played in the 2009 WPS All-Star Game against Swedish Damallsvenskan champions Umeå.

2009: Scored game-winning goal against Norway in Algarve Cup

During the 2009 Algarve Cup, Rapinoe scored the game-winning goal against Norway, securing a 1–0 victory for the team in their third group stage match. The U.S. finished at the top of their group but was defeated in the championship final by Sweden in a penalty kick shootout.

2009: Return to the team and led in points

Upon her return to the team in 2009, Rapinoe led the team in points with five, including two goals and one assist. She started in six of the seven games she played that year.

2011: "Megan Rapinoe Day" in Redding

Following the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, Megan Rapinoe's hometown of Redding honored her with a parade and named September 10 "Megan Rapinoe Day".

2011: Assisted Goal and ESPY Award

In 2011, Megan Rapinoe's cross to Abby Wambach in the 122nd minute of the FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinal match against Brazil resulted in an equalizer. The last-minute goal received ESPN's 2011 ESPY Award for Best Play of the Year.

2011: Assisted game-winning goal against Italy

In 2011, after the United States finished third at the 2010 CONCACAF tournament, they played against Italy in the UEFA-CONCACAF play-off. During the team's second match of the series, Rapinoe assisted Amy Rodriguez's game-winning goal, helping the United States earn a spot at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.

February 12, 2012: Harry Glickman Award

On February 12, 2012, Megan Rapinoe received the Harry Glickman Professional Female Athlete of the Year award at the 60th annual Oregon Sports Awards.

October 25, 2012: FIFA World Player of the Year Nomination

On October 25, 2012, Megan Rapinoe was one of ten female soccer players shortlisted for the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award.

November 10, 2012: Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center Award

On November 10, 2012, Megan Rapinoe was awarded the board of directors Award by the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center for bringing awareness to LGBT people in sports.

2012: 2012 London Olympics Performance

During the 2012 London Olympics, Megan Rapinoe scored three goals and tallied a team-high four assists, leading the United States to a gold medal. She also scored a goal directly from a corner, twice.

2012: 2012 London Summer Olympics Gold Medal

In 2012, Megan Rapinoe won a gold medal with the United States national team at the London Summer Olympics.

2012: Achieved career-best eight goals and 12 assists

In 2012, Rapinoe achieved a career-best performance with eight goals and 12 assists for the United States.

2012: Won gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games

In 2012, Rapinoe helped lead the United States to a gold medal at the Olympic Games in London. During the team's second group stage match against Colombia, she scored the game-winning goal in the 33rd minute, contributing to a 3–0 win. The U.S. defeated North Korea 1–0 and New Zealand 2-0 in the quarterfinals.

March 2013: Player of the Tournament at Algarve Cup

In March 2013, Megan Rapinoe was named Player of the Tournament at the 2013 Algarve Cup, which the U.S. won.

June 20, 2013: Assist for Wambach's record-breaking goal

On June 20, 2013, during a friendly match against South Korea, Rapinoe assisted Abby Wambach's record-breaking 159th international goal. Later, in a friendly against New Zealand, Rapinoe scored the game-opening goal on a direct free kick and was named Player of the Match.

July 25, 2013: NWSL Player of the Week

On July 25, 2013, Megan Rapinoe was named NWSL Player of the Week for Week 16 of the 2013 NWSL season after scoring two goals and serving one assist during a 4–1 win over the Chicago Red Stars.

2013: Board of Directors Award

In 2013, Megan Rapinoe received the Board of Directors Award from the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center for her advocacy for numerous LGBTQIA+ organizations, including GLSEN and Athlete Ally.

2013: Named Player of the Tournament at the Algarve Cup

In 2013, at the Algarve Cup in Portugal, Rapinoe was named the Player of the Tournament, despite playing in only two of the four matches in which the United States competed. She was injured in practice and did not play during the final.

December 2014: Induction into Shasta County Sports Hall of Fame

In December 2014, Megan Rapinoe was inducted into the Shasta County Sports Hall of Fame along with several other athletes from Shasta County.

2014: Season with Seattle Reign FC

In 2014, Megan Rapinoe helped the Reign secure the league's regular-season title (NWSL Shield). During the team's playoff semi-final match against Washington Spirit, Rapinoe scored a goal helping the Reign win 2–1 and advance to the championship final against Kansas City. Despite Rapinoe's goal during the championship final, the Reign was ultimately defeated by Kansas City 2–1.

2015: Ticker Tape Parade in NYC

Following the United States' win at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, Megan Rapinoe and her teammates became the first women's sports team to be honored with a ticker tape parade in New York City. Each player received a key to the city from Mayor Bill de Blasio. Later in 2015, the team was honored by President Barack Obama at the White House, and the president mentioned the Northern California farm that had built a corn maze in the shape of Rapinoe's face.

2015: National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame Induction

In 2015, Megan Rapinoe was inducted into the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame and also named NWSL Player of the Week for Week 1 of the 2015 NWSL season.

2015: 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Victory

In 2015, Megan Rapinoe won the FIFA Women's World Cup with the United States national team.

2015: First professional hat trick

In 2015, during a match against Western New York Flash, Rapinoe scored her first professional hat trick and assisted Jess Fishlock, leading the Reign to a 5–1 victory. She was named NWSL Player of the Week for her performance.

September 2019: Recognition as a Reign Legend

In September 2019, Rapinoe was recognized as a Reign Legend by the Reign, joining 36 previous legends.

2019: Second Ticker Tape Parade

Following the 2019 Women's World Cup, New York City honored the women's national team with a second ticker tape parade, introduced by Robin Roberts at City Hall. Megan Rapinoe and her teammates were also invited to the national capitol by Senator Chuck Schumer and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, and Nancy Pelosi.

2019: Awards and World Cup Victory

In 2019, Megan Rapinoe won the Ballon d'Or Féminin and was named The Best FIFA Women's Player. She also won the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup with the United States national team.

2019: Awards at Women's World Cup

In 2019, Megan Rapinoe won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards at the Women's World Cup in France, becoming the second American to win the Golden Boot. She was also named Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year and The Best FIFA Women's Player.

2019: Scored in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Final

In 2019, Rapinoe scored her 50th international goal on a penalty kick in the 61st minute of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Final. The United States defeated the Netherlands 2–0 to win its second consecutive World Cup championship. Rapinoe was named Player of the Match, awarded the Golden Boot as the top scorer, and earned the Golden Ball as the best player at the tournament.

2019: Golden Boot and Golden Ball at 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup

Megan Rapinoe won both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.

2020: Best in Sports Shorty Award

In 2020, Megan Rapinoe won the Best in Sports Shorty Award.

August 2021: Named NWSL Player of the Month

In August 2021, Rapinoe was named NWSL Player of the Month, after scoring six goals in 12 appearances. The Reign finished second in the regular season but were eliminated in the NWSL Playoffs.

July 1, 2022: Presidential Medal of Freedom Announcement

On July 1, 2022, the White House announced that Megan Rapinoe would be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

July 7, 2022: Presentation of Presidential Medal of Freedom

On July 7, 2022, Megan Rapinoe was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden in a ceremony at the White House, among a group of 17 honorees that included Simone Biles.