Two of the biggest players in United States women’s national team history will face off in search of NWSL glory. Alex Morgan’s San Diego Wave FC will host Megan Rapinoe’s OL Reign in the NWSL semifinals at 9:30 p.m. ET on Sunday at Snapdragon Stadium.
It could be Rapinoe’s final professional game.
Rapinoe has already retired from the USWNT and will hang up her boots at the end of the 2023 NWSL season. The 38-year-old forward has spent the last 10 years with OL Reign but has never won a championship.
In a perfect world for Rapinoe, she has two games left of her professional career, however Morgan and the San Diego Wave could cut that short. Morgan has won one NWSL title which was a decade ago with the Portland Thorns.
While Morgan and Rapinoe were close national teammates, there won’t be any hard feelings going into the semifinals. Rapinoe mentioned that the two teams don’t get along in a postgame interview following her team’s playoff victory vs. Angel City.
Think @mPinoe and @JessFishlock are excited for @OLReign to face San Diego? pic.twitter.com/F6dabFyhfW
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 21, 2023
San Diego secured a bye week in the playoffs after finishing top of the league in the regular season and winning the NWSL Platter, *cough* we mean shield.
Morgan and rising USWNT teenage star Jaedyn Shaw lead the Wave in league scoring with six and five goals, respectively.
While Morgan has been misfiring for the USWNT, she’s scored in two of the Wave’s previous three games.
She is HER‼️ @alexmorgan13 pic.twitter.com/8jhOysE6En
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 15, 2023
The Wave also boast USWNT defender Naomi Girma who was named an NWSL MVP finalist for the second season in a row along with last season’s NWSL goalkeeper of the year, Kailen Sheridan.
While San Diego have plenty of stars, they have been bested by Rapinoe’s OL Reign all four times they’ve played this year by an aggregate score of 7-1.
OL Reign will look forward to having Rose Lavelle back from injury. The team also have the likes of familiar USWNT faces Alana Cook, Sofia Huerta and Emily Sonnett. Bethany Balcer and Jordyn Huitema lead the scoring for OL Reign.
The other NWSL semifinal is between NY/NJ Gotham FC and the Portland Thorns. Both semifinals will be available to watch on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+.
