Megan Rapinoe, star player and activist, bid farewell to the U.S. women's national team in a 2-0 victory against South Africa in Chicago on Sunday.
Rapinoe, 38, walked off the field in the 54th minute for the last time for the U.S., but will complete the season for OL Reign of the National Women's Soccer League.
Megan Rapinoe is honored before her final USWNT game
Julie Ertz wore the captain’s armband for her 123rd and final appearance with the United States women’s national team on Thursday as the U.S. defeated South Africa 3-0 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Ertz had her curtain call in the 36th minute as she was given a standing ovation and made way for Andi Sullivan. Before exiting the field, she hugged teammates, acknowledged the 22,016 fans and passed the armband off to Lindsey Horan.
Here were her final moments as a USWNT player.
United States women’s national team fans will be asking, “why did Julie Ertz retire?” after she plays her final game on Thursday.
Ertz, 31, showed at the 2023 Women’s World Cup that age isn’t slowing her down one bit as she played every minute in the tournament and was dominant in defense.
The reason for her retirement? Spending time with family and raising her baby boy, Madden.
Footy Headlines has released a mockup of what the 2024 USMNT kit might look like and good God it’s worse than what we have now. Nike must get some sort of enjoyment off torturing U.S. Soccer fans.
The color scheme is rumored to be white on white and the guess is that the new kits will pay tribute to the 1924 Paris Olympics men’s soccer team that got the USMNT their first international win.
The September USWNT roster for two friendlies vs. South Africa was revealed on Tuesday with 27 players set to be in the national team camp. Each friendly will also serve as a farewell match for Julie Ertz and Megan Rapinoe.
Ertz will play her final game on Thursday, Sept. 21 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Rapinoe’s last appearance for the national team will be Sunday, Sept. 24 at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Here are the 27 players that USWNT interim head coach Twila Kilgore named to the roster.
Mallory Swanson was back on a professional field Thursday night to throw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field. The star USWNT forward missed out on the 2023 Women’s World Cup with a torn patellar tendon in her left knee.
She was in good spirits Thursday night as she threw the opening pitch to her husband Dansby Swanson.
We’re going to get to see Julie Ertz play for the United States women’s national team one last time. The 31-year-old midfielder/defender announced her retirement from the sport on Aug. 31 but will return for a send-off game.
Ertz’s last game will on Thursday, Sept. 21 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Two-time World Cup champion Julie Ertz retired from professional soccer with an announcement on social media on Thursday.
"With immense emotion and processing, I've decided it is time to hang up the boots," the U.S. women's national team icon and longtime NWSL defender posted on social media.
THANK YOU! pic.twitter.com/GapGnMfSa5
— Julie Ertz (@julieertz) August 31, 2023
The United States women’s national team will bid farewell to one of its biggest stars in September as Megan Rapinoe will play her final game.
When is Rapinoe's last game for USWNT?
Rapinoe’s farewell will be a friendly match against South Africa on Sept. 24 at Soldier Field in Chicago. The game is the second of two friendlies that the USWNT will play against South Africa. Rapinoe won’t feature in the first game in Cincinnati on Sept. 21.
The latest edition of the FIFA women’s world rankings was released on Friday and the big news is that the USWNT have dropped two places. For this first time in history the U.S. sit third in the world, their lowest ever ranking.
The latest Women’s FIFA World Rankings have dropped!
Which ranking surprises you the most? pic.twitter.com/fHV0LvjrkE