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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 06: Megan Rapinoe of USA training before Sweden plays USA at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023. (Photo credit should read Chris Putnam/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

via Getty
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 06: Megan Rapinoe of USA training before Sweden plays USA at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023. (Photo credit should read Chris Putnam/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Every game holds the promise of glory or heartbreak in the unpredictable realm of soccer. There exists a unique breed of athletes who possesses the ability to transform adversity into a source of strength. USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe stands as a prime example of this extraordinary trait. In a candid conversation, Rapinoe’s teammate at USWNT shared her perspective on Rapinoe’s untimely injury in her farewell game. She revealed a side of the former USWNT captain that goes beyond the pitch.
Rapinoe’s farewell match was marred by an unfortunate injury that forced her to leave the game early. Despite the setback, Rapinoe handled the situation with her trademark wit. Recently crowned NWSL Championship MVP, Midge Purce, got involved in a candid conversation with CBS Sports. She shared her insights about NJ/NY Gotham’s remarkable season and her reaction to Megan Rapinoe getting injured in her farewell game.
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USWNT teammate shares her take on Rapinoe’s injury
Purce, who played alongside Rapinoe in the USWNT, emphasized her former teammate’s remarkable ability to deal with hardships. She labeled Rapinoe’s unique approach to overcoming challenges as a form of ‘cruel satire.’
“I just thought she needed a treatment and everything’s going to be fine. But, the moment she threw her head back and started laughing, I said ‘Oh! She’s done.’ My heart definitely dropped for a second, and I was like ‘That’s awful!’ Because, I’ve seen her have that reaction before, and she kind of has that cruel satire. In my opinion, It’s about how she deals with really hard things,” Purce expressed.
Megan Rapinoe, who played for OL Reign in the NWSL, took part in the NWSL Championship Final against NJ/NY Gotham FC. However, events took an unexpected turn as she suffered an injury just three minutes into the game. This led to her perfect ending being shattered, forcing her to be subbed off in her last match.
READ MORE: Megan Rapinoe Provides Update on Successful Surgery After Injury Ended Her Final Game in 6 Minutes
The consequences of Rapinoe’s injury were quickly felt by OL reign, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against NJ/NY Gotham FC, who won their first-ever NWSL Championship title.
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Megan Rapinoe acknowledges the unpredictable ‘life’
In the wake of the game, Rapinoe acknowledged the unpredictability of life in sports, stating, “That’s life. 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.“

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September 24, 2023: United States forward Megan Rapinoe 15 during postgame of International Friendly, Länderspiel, Nationalmannschaft Womenà s Soccer match action between the U.S. national team, Nationalteam and South Africa at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. U.S. National Team defeated South Africa 2-0. /CSM. USA – ZUMAc04_ 20230924_zma_c04_253 Copyright: xJohnxMersitsx
This unforeseen twist in Rapinoe’s final game highlights the unpredictable nature of sports. However, it also showcased Rapinoe’s ability to gracefully accept the facts that come along with it. Her ‘satirical’ approach to battle adversity adds to her legacy. It’ll be interesting to see Rapinoe’s next steps after her illustrious soccer career.
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