SAN DIEGO — OL Reign winger Megan Rapinoe said that her early exit because of an injury during a 2-1 loss to NJ/NY Gotham FC in the NWSL championship was “the worst possible outcome” for the final game of her professional career.
“It felt like just a huge pop,” Rapinoe said about her non-contact injury that forced a substitution during the sixth minute at Snapdragon Stadium, which she feared was a torn Achilles tendon. “The worst possible outcome, I just thank god I have like a f—ing deep well of sense of humor, but yeah, I mean, just obviously devastating to go out in the final so early.”
The 38-year-old, who recently retired from the U.S. women’s national team after her 203rd appearance in a farewell match over the summer, added: “That’s life, it’s part of the game. I was feeling really good before the game, wasn’t feeling tight or wasn’t having calf issues or anything. You don’t always get to have the perfect ending.”
After her substitution in the first half and the introduction of Bethany Balcer in her place, the Reign eventually found themselves with a 2-1 deficit by the final stages of the match. Despite being given a late lifeline through a red card to Gotham goalkeeper Mandy Haught during injury time, the Reign were unable to find a late…
