Who is Megan Rapinoe?

Described by the USA National Football team (USWNT) as an irresistible force—on and off the field, Megan Rapinoe has been a leading light in world football. On Friday, the 36-year-old scored her team’s winning penalty as they cruised past Netherlands 4-2 in a shootout. The USWNT will face CONCACAF rivals Canada in the semi-final of the Tokyo Olympics. 

Known for her crafty skills at the right-wing and social activism, Megan Rapinoe hails for Redding, California. She captained the USWNT and leads the OL Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Rapinoe won the Ballon d’Or Féminin and was named The Best FIFA Women’s Player in 2019. She also led the national football team to gold at the 2012 London Summer Olympics, 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

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The FIFA Women’s World Cup Golden Ball in 2019 made her debut for the USNWT in 2006, three years after she started playing club football for the Chicago Red Stars. Rapinoe has also represented Philadelphia Independence and MagicJack in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), as well as Olympique Lyon in France’s Division 1 Féminine. 

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Megan Rapinoe has been vocal about human and LGBTQ rights on and off the field. In 2011, after scoring a goal against Columbia, the 36-year-old headed to the corner to serenade the flag with “Born in the USA.” She has participated in discussions, supporting equal rights when it comes to gender, race or sexual preference. She also runs a camp with twin sister, Rachael, where she passes on the values that have made her great: having fun and working hard. Rapinoe was one of the first to take a knee during the national anthem at an international match in September 2016 in solidarity with NFL Colin Kaepernick. She has been the face of the women’s team’s equal pay complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.