Farewell with Pride: Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger's Last NWSL Final Appearance
US soccer icons Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger, renowned friends and teammates, bid farewell on Saturday in the NWSL Final Don't miss their last thrilling match as they take the field one last time as fierce opponents Catch the action!
US Women's National Team legends Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger, former friends and teammates, will face each other on the pitch for the last time this Saturday. In the NWSL Final, Rapinoe's OL Reign will go up against Krieger's Gotham FC, creating an ideal setting for the concluding chapter of these two remarkable women's soccer careers.
Ahead of the game, in the final pre-match press conference of her career, an emotional Rapinoe couldnt hold back the tears.
Megan Rapinoe of the United States celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the quarter-final match between France and the United States at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on June 28, 2019. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Megan Rapinoe, a unique individual, is set to leave behind an extraordinary legacy following her final match for the United States. When asked about her legacy, she expressed, "I have always strived to approach the game with integrity and joy. Ultimately, I believe we are part of the entertainment industry, particularly in a sport and league that continue to expand. This perspective holds great significance to me."
I have always strived to enhance things, and I feel a great sense of pride and happiness not only in my contributions to the game but also in the era in which I have played. It is gratifying to see that the game has greatly improved and this is a testament to all the players who have been a part of this generation and this league, including those who have represented the national team alongside me.
There has been a recent announcement of a significant media deal, and this league has been absolutely incredible this year. It has been an absolute joy to watch and be a part of, with numerous captivating storylines. Therefore, I can confidently say that I walk away from it all with a smile, feeling proud of my entire career.
Rapinoe laughed, stating that everything leading up to Saturday's final had been "exactly the same," even including moments like getting the ball passed between her legs, commonly known as a nutmeg, during passing drills in training.
The 38-year-old, who has won the World Cup twice and an Olympic gold medal with the USA, is leaving women's soccer with confidence in the promising future of the sport.
On Thursday, the NWSL, the leading professional women's league in the US, unveiled a "groundbreaking" media agreement. This deal guarantees that 118 of the league's matches will be broadcasted on platforms such as Amazon Prime, ION, CBS, Paramount Plus, and ESPN during the 2024 season.
Rapinoe and Krieger will face off one last time on Saturday.
"This marks a game-changing moment for both our league and the players who compete on the field every week," expressed NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman in a statement. "It signifies the start of our journey towards a promising future."
Apart from her accomplishments on the field, Rapinoes impact goes well beyond the boundaries of soccer. Hailing from California, this midfielder has emerged as a powerful advocate, a generous philanthropist, a style icon, and a staunch supporter of equal rights in all aspects of society.
Throughout her career, Rapinoe has stood up for many issues including racial equality, womens rights, pay parity and LGBTQ+ issues, to name just a few.
Kriegers farewell
Maybe it was destined that Rapinoe and Krieger would share their final moment on the field together during the NWSL Championship game.
Following their respective teams' qualification for the final, Krieger took to Instagram on Monday to share a conversation she had with Rapinoe that dates back two months.
When asked by Rapinoe when her last game was, Krieger confidently stated it would be on November 11.
"Well I guess thats my last game too," Rapinoe replied.
Krieger, the 39-year-old defender, has had an equally impressive career as her USA teammate. She played a vital role in the team's World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019. Additionally, she achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Champions League with Frankfurt in 2008. Krieger's exceptional skills on the field are further validated by her collection of various individual awards.
Krieger echoed Rapinoe's thoughts on the league's progress during her career, noting the comical interruption of spiders during her final pre-match press conference. She confessed that the initial phase was challenging, with players struggling to find socks for training and even having to wash their own clothes. However, she acknowledged that significant improvements have been made since then.
Throughout the years, regardless of the team or geographical background, players have consistently supported each other. We understand the strength that comes from unity, and over time, this principle has become evident.
We possess the knowledge of standing up for one another, advocating for the betterment of both the league and the players involved. Ultimately, I take pride in the fact that we are leaving this game in a better state than when we first entered it.
How to watch
The NWSL Final kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday and is available to watch in the US on CBS and Paramount Plus.
