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Megan Rapinoe Consoled By Ali Krieger After Getting Injured Three Minutes Into Final Game Of Her Pro Soccer Career

Megan Rapinoe suffered an injury less than three minutes into the last game of her iconic soccer career. She was hugged by Ali Krieger before leaving the field.

Robert Summerscales

Megan Rapinoe Consoled By Ali Krieger After Getting Injured Three Minutes Into Final Game Of Her Pro Soccer Career
Megan Rapinoe Consoled By Ali Krieger After Getting Injured Three Minutes Into Final Game Of Her Pro Soccer Career /

Megan Rapinoe suffered an injury less than three minutes into the final match of her iconic soccer career on Saturday night.

Many had hoped that Rapinoe, 38, would bow out in a blaze of glory by leading OL Reign to victory over NJ/NY Gotham FC in the 2023 NWSL Championship game.

But the game had barely begun before Rapinoe was forced to make a tearful exit.

The 2019 Ballon d'Or Feminin winner slipped while attempting to close down an opponent and she remained on the ground for around 90 seconds before limping off the field with the help of medical staff.

Rapinoe was given a standing ovation by the 25,011-strong crowd at Snapdragon Stadium, as well as a hug from Gotham captain Ali Krieger.

Megan Rapinoe pictured hugging Ali Krieger during the 2023 NWSL championship game
Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger hugged before the OL Reign star was substituted off early in the 2023 NWSL championship game / CBS

This was also the final game of Krieger's career.

The 39-year-old had been a teammate of Rapinoe's in the USWNT's triumphant FIFA Women's World Cup campaigns of 2015 and 2019.

Rapinoe had won almost every tournament going during her career but the NWSL was seen as the missing piece.

After her premature departure, she was now relying solely on her teammates to complete her trophy cabinet.

With Rapinoe watching from the bench, the Reign fell behind midway through the first half when Lynn Williams fired Gotham ahead from seven yards.

But Rose Lavelle swiftly equalized after breaching Gotham's high defensive line.

Jordyn Huitema then thought that she had put the Reign in front in the 43rd minute.

Rapinoe celebrated Huitema's goal by hitching a piggyback ride from substitute keeper Lauren Ivory, but their celebrations were cut short by an offside call.

Gotham then went 2-1 up in first-half added time when Esther Gonzalez headed home from a corner kick taken by Midge Purce, who had also assisted her side's opening goal.

There were no more goals in the second half but there was late drama.

Gotham keeper Amanda Haught was shown a straight red card in the 97th minute for handling the ball outside of her penalty area.

With no more substitutions available, Gotham put defender Nealy Martin in goal for the final five minutes of added time.

But Gotham held firm to become the sixth different club to win the NWSL championship.

Published
Robert Summerscales
ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Robert Summerscales launched FanNation Futbol in February 2022. Rob is a British journalist who previously spent two years on the sports desk at the Daily Mail in London, having earlier served as editor of CaughtOffside.com. He has been to the last two FIFA Men's World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, and is looking forward to completing his hat-trick in North America in 2026.