The OL Reign and USWNT star is one of the most impactful figures in soccer. There has never been an NWSL season played without Rapinoe, and she is one of only five players to have played with the same club since the league’s inception. She is the first player in USWNT history to have multiple, multi-goal games at the Olympics, and is the first and only player, regardless of gender, to score an Olimpico (a goal scored directly from a corner kick). Rapinoe has done it twice.

But her legacy is not only her talent, creativity, and leadership on the field, but also her empathy, courage, and activism off of it. She was one of the first sports figures to "come out" and has supported LGBTQIA+ rights vocally throughout her career. She faced severe backlash for protesting racial injustice by kneeling, and yet, continued to do so anyway. She led the fight for equal pay alongside her teammates, demanding US Soccer provide equity for all players, and succeeded.

We thank you, Megan, for raising your voice, fighting for change, and leaving the game better than you found it. This may be the end of one chapter, but there is so much to look forward to in what comes next.