Megan Rapinoe's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

Megan Rapinoe is a celebrated American former professional soccer player, primarily a winger, known for her time with OL Reign and the United States national team. A Ballon d'Or Féminin and The Best FIFA Women's Player recipient in 2019, she achieved significant success, including Olympic gold in 2012 and FIFA Women's World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. She co-captained the national team from 2018 to 2020 alongside Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan. Besides her accomplishments with the national team, Rapinoe also played for Chicago Red Stars, Philadelphia Independence, and magicJack in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), as well as Lyon Women in France's Division 1 Féminine. Rapinoe is also known for her outspoken activism.

Sections (5)

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

2004: All-American Selection

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

2005: NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship

In 2005, as a freshman, Megan Rapinoe helped the Portland Pilots to an undefeated season and the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship, earning several accolades including NSCAA First Team All-American and West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year.

2008: Return to Soccer and West Coast Conference Player of the Year

In 2008, after recovering from her second ACL injury, Megan Rapinoe returned to soccer and helped the Portland Pilots secure a 20-2 record. She was named West Coast Conference Player of the Year.

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

During the 2009 Algarve Cup, Rapinoe scored the game-winning goal against Norway, leading the team to a 1–0 victory. The U.S. finished at the top of their group but were defeated by Sweden in the championship final.

2009: Led team in points after returning from ACL injuries

In 2009, upon her return to the team, Rapinoe led the United States women's national team in points with five, including two goals and one assist.

2011: Hometown Honored Rapinoe with a Parade

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: ESPN's ESPY Award for Best Play

In 2011, Megan Rapinoe's precise cross to Abby Wambach in the 122nd minute of the FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinal match against Brazil resulted in an equalizer and eventual win for the Americans, and it received ESPN's 2011 ESPY Award for Best Play of the Year.

2011: Served assist for game-winning goal against Italy

In 2011, during the team's second match of the UEFA-CONCACAF play-off against Italy, 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: Received 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: Shortlisted for FIFA Women's World Player of the Year

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: Awarded by Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center

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 Gold Medal and Scoring Feat

During the 2012 London Olympics, Megan Rapinoe scored three goals and tallied four assists, leading the United States to a gold medal. She also became the first player to score a goal directly from a corner twice at the Olympics.

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: 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. The U.S. defeated North Korea and New Zealand.

March 2013: Named 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: Assisted Abby Wambach's record-breaking goal and scored against New Zealand

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

July 25, 2013: Named 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, 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 as the team defeated Germany to win the 2013 Algarve Cup.

2013: Joined Seattle Reign FC

In 2013, Megan Rapinoe joined Seattle Reign FC, significantly improving the team's performance and goal-scoring ability. She was named NWSL Player of the Week for Week 16.

2013: Board of Directors Award

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

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 including Ryan O'Callaghan and Ricky Ray.

April 2015: Named to 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Roster

In April 2015, Rapinoe was named to the roster for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada. During the team's first group stage match against Australia, she scored two goals, contributing to the United States' 3-1 victory.

2015: Honored with Ticker Tape Parade and Key to 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.

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

2015: Scored hat trick and assist for the Reign

In 2015, Rapinoe returned to the Reign, and during the team's first match against Western New York Flash, she scored her first professional hat trick and served an assist to Jess Fishlock, contributing to the Reign's 5–1 victory. She was named NWSL Player of the Week.

September 2019: Recognized as a Reign Legend

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

2019: Honored with Ticker Tape Parade and Invited to National Capitol

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. Megan Rapinoe and her teammates were invited to the national capitol by Senator Chuck Schumer and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley and Nancy Pelosi.

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

In 2019, Megan Rapinoe won the Ballon d'Or Féminin and was named The Best FIFA Women's Player, achieving significant recognition in her career.

2019: Won Golden Boot and Golden Ball 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. The same year, she was Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year and was named The Best FIFA Women's Player.

2019: Won the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup

In 2019, Rapinoe scored her 50th international goal on a penalty kick in the 61st minute, helping the United States defeat the Netherlands 2–0 to clinch its second consecutive World Cup championship. She was named Player of the Match, awarded the Golden Boot as the top scorer, and earned the Golden Ball award as the best player at the tournament.

2019: Golden Boot and Golden Ball Awards

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

2020: Time's 100 Most Influential People

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

2020: Won Best in Sports Shorty Award

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

August 5, 2021: Scored twice in bronze medal match of 2020 Summer Olympics

On August 5, 2021, 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, Rapinoe was named NWSL Player of the Month during the 2021 season where she scored six goals in 12 appearances for the club and co-captained the squad. The Reign finished in second place during the regular season and were eliminated by Washington Spirit in the NWSL Playoffs.

July 1, 2022: White House Announces Presidential Medal of Freedom

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

July 7, 2022: Presented with 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.