Why Was Megan Rapinoe Dropped From the Latest USWNT Lineup?

Published 09/09/2021, 2:33 PM EDT

USWNT star Megan Rapinoe is one of the most recognizable faces in soccer around the globe. However, her absence was notable from the latest squad put out by the USWNT.

Despite playing in OL Reign’s NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) match on August 30, Rapinoe wasn’t included in the squad because of an injury. The cause of the injury is not yet known as neither Rapinoe nor the USWNT has put out any statements.

It’s still unclear whether Rapinoe will feature in OL Reign’s next match against Washington Spirit. Moreover, she has been in fine form for the club as she has scored five times in six appearances this season, including two spectacular braces in her last two matches in the NWSL.

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The roster is set for September 🇺🇸⚽️
Ohio, here we come!#USWNT x @BioSteelSports
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) September 9, 2021

The USWNT will miss the striker’s talents and have called up Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith and Chicago Red Stars forward Mallory Pugh to replace Rapinoe. Another star forward, Christen Press, also opted out of the matches.

Alex Morgan will lead the line along with Tobin Heath and Lynn Williams, but the USWNT’s attack looks rather blunt for the matches against Paraguay.

Rapinoe has been a regular fixture in the starting eleven. Her two goals in the 2020 Olympic Women’s Football against Australia helped the USA to clinch the bronze medal. However, she didn’t start in the semifinal match against Canada, who beat the USWNT and eventually won the gold medal for the first time.

Other notable injuries besides Megan Rapinoe

Along with Rapinoe, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and midfielders Julie Ertz and Samantha Mewis are also injured and will miss the matches. However, Naeher and Mewis will join the team during the middle of this international window for evaluation and rehabilitation.

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Squad set to take on Paraguay 💪
More roster info ≫ https://t.co/kG30gr0ion pic.twitter.com/K1dGkVPyRk
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) September 9, 2021

The USA will take on Paraguay in two matches on 16th and 21st September in Cleveland, Ohio and Cincinnati, respectively. The training camp for the same will begin on 14th September in Cleveland.

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Do you think the USWNT can beat Paraguay without Megan Rapinoe?

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Written by:

Aniket Awasthi is a football writer at EssentiallySports. This STEM undergraduate combines an insatiable urge to write with his admiration for football to enhance his journalism. He calls charismatic names like Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford as his favorite players, but he is a great admirer of Karim Benzema too.

Why Was Megan Rapinoe Dropped From the Latest USWNT Lineup?

Other notable injuries besides Megan Rapinoe

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