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, primarily a winger, renowned for her career with OL Reign in the NWSL and the United States national team. Acknowledged as one of the best, she won the Ballon d'Or Féminin and The Best FIFA Women's Player in 2019. Rapinoe secured gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics, the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, and the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. She was also a key player in the 2011 World Cup team that finished second. She co-captained the national team from 2018 to 2020, alongside Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan. Beyond the US team, she played for Chicago Red Stars, Philadelphia Independence, and magicJack in WPS, and Lyon Women in France.

Sections (5)

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

2004: McDonald's All-American

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

2005: NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship

In 2005, as a freshman, Rapinoe helped the Portland Pilots to an undefeated season and the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship, earning multiple awards and recognitions.

2008: Return to the Pilots

In 2008, Rapinoe returned to the Pilots after recovering from her second ACL injury, starting in all 22 games and earning West Coast Conference Player of the Year honors.

August 2009: Named to WPS All-Star Team

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

During the 2009 Algarve Cup, Megan Rapinoe scored the game-winning goal against Norway, leading the team to a 1–0 victory.

2009: Led team in points

Upon her return to the team in 2009, Megan Rapinoe led the team in points with five, including two goals and one assist.

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", celebrating her achievements.

2011: Assist to Abby Wambach at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup

In 2011, Rapinoe made a precise cross to Abby Wambach during the FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinal match against Brazil, resulting in an equalizer. The goal won ESPN's 2011 ESPY Award for Best Play of the Year.

2011: Helped US earn berth to 2011 World Cup

In 2011, during the team's second match of the series, Megan Rapinoe served the assist for Amy Rodriguez's game-winning goal helping the United States earn a berth to the 2011 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, recognizing her excellence in soccer.

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 success

During the 2012 London Olympics, Megan Rapinoe scored three goals and had a team-high four assists, helping the United States win a gold medal. She also became the first player, male or female, to score a goal directly from a corner twice at the Olympic Games in 2012.

2012: Career-best year for goals and assists

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

2012: Won gold medal at London Olympics

In 2012, Megan Rapinoe helped lead the United States to a gold medal at the Olympic Games in London, scoring the game-winning goal against Colombia in the group stage.

2012: 2012 London Summer Olympics Gold Medal

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

March 2013: Algarve Cup Player of the Tournament

In March 2013, Megan Rapinoe was named Player of the Tournament at the 2013 Algarve Cup, which the U.S. won. She tallied a goal and assist in two games played.

July 25, 2013: NWSL Player of the Week

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

2013: Named Player of the Tournament at Algarve Cup

At the 2013 Algarve Cup in Portugal, Megan Rapinoe was named the Player of the Tournament, despite being injured and missing the final.

2013: Board of Directors Award from the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center

In 2013, Rapinoe received the Board of Directors Award from the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center for her advocacy.

December 2014: Inducted 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.

2015: Ticker Tape Parade in New York City

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. The team was also honored by President Barack Obama at the White House and the president made note of 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

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

2015: 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Gold Medal

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

2015: First Professional Hat Trick

In 2015, during the team's first match against Western New York Flash, Rapinoe scored her first professional hat trick and served an assist to Jess Fishlock, earning her NWSL Player of the Week for week 1 of the season.

September 2019: Recognized as Reign Legend

In September 2019, the Reign recognized Rapinoe as a Reign Legend, along with eight others.

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 and were introduced by Robin Roberts at City Hall. 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: Golden Boot and Golden Ball at Women's World Cup

In 2019, Megan Rapinoe won the Golden Boot (the second American to do so after Michelle Akers in 1999) and Golden Ball awards at the Women's World Cup in France. She was also Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year and was named The Best FIFA Women's Player.

2019: Ballon d'Or Féminin and The Best FIFA Women's Player

In 2019, Rapinoe won the Ballon d'Or Féminin and was named The Best FIFA Women's Player.

2020: Best in Sports Shorty Award

In 2020, Megan Rapinoe won the Best in Sports Shorty Award, recognizing her influence in sports media and culture.

2020: Inclusion in Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2020, Rapinoe was included in Time's 100 Most Influential People.

August 5, 2021: Scored twice in Olympic bronze medal match

On August 5, 2021, Megan Rapinoe scored twice in a 4–3 win over Australia in the bronze medal match of the 2020 Summer Olympics.

August 2021: Named NWSL Player of the Month

In August 2021, Megan Rapinoe was named NWSL Player of the Month, recognizing her outstanding performance during the season.

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, the nation's highest civilian honor.

July 7, 2022: Presidential Medal of Freedom

On July 7, 2022, Megan Rapinoe was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest honor given to civilians, by President Joe Biden in a ceremony at the White House. She was among a group of 17 honorees that included Simone Biles.