A Legend

A veteran winger of the American women’s soccer team, Megan Rapinoe is much maligned now, for she unexpectantly missed a penalty in the shootout in the crucial match against Sweden that caused the USA, the defending champion, to crash out of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. Amidst controversy, Megan was included in the team at the last moment for her 4th World Cup appearance, in recognition of her talent as a crafty player, known internationally for her astute style of play, scoring 63 international goals, 2 directly from corner shots, a great feat. She is the recipient of the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball awards for the best tournament player at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 in France. She is recognized as the Time magazine’s one of the most influential people of 2020, and received in 2022 the Presidential Medal of Freedom, nation’s highest civilian honor. Her autobiography (One Life) detailing her early life, career highlights and setbacks, activism for racial and gender equality, and personal relationships, became New York Time’s best seller. Though she failed the USA soccer team, and crushed its hope to win the 2023 World Cup, and even if she disappears from the women’s international soccer scene, Megan Rapinoe will be remembered as a legend.