Megan Rapinoe

Lore & Background

Rapinoe grew up in Redding, California, with her parents and five siblings, including fraternal twin Rachael. She began playing soccer at age three after watching her older brother Brian. Brian struggled with drug addiction and was in and out of prison, including Pelican Bay State Prison. Rapinoe attended the University of Portland, where she helped the Pilots win the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship as a freshman. She suffered two season-ending ACL injuries in 2006 and 2007 but returned to earn West Coast Conference Player of the Year in 2008.

Reader's Guide

Megan Rapinoe's significance lies in her achievements on the field and her advocacy off it. As a key player for the U.S. national team, she helped win two World Cups and an Olympic gold medal. Her individual honors include the 2019 Ballon d'Or Féminin and The Best FIFA Women's Player. Rapinoe's 2011 World Cup assist to Abby Wambach is considered one of the most iconic plays in women's soccer history. She was the first player to score directly from a corner at the Olympics. Off the field, she has been a prominent advocate for LGBTQIA+ organizations, receiving the Board of Directors Award from the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center in 2013 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022. She was included in Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2020. Her legacy includes co-captaining the national team and using her platform to promote social justice.

Did You Know?

• Rapinoe is the first player, male or female, to score a goal directly from a corner at the Olympic Games, having done so twice.
• She won both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.
• Rapinoe received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Joe Biden in July 2022.
• Her cross to Abby Wambach in the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal received ESPN's ESPY Award for Best Play of the Year.