USWNT Star Megan Rapinoe Once Detailed the Darkest Phase of Her Career When She Was Left with “No Team, No Training Camp, and…”

It has been five years since Colin Kaepernick first sat down and then kneeled in protest of racial inequality and police brutality in the United States. Similarly, following him, the USWNT star Megan Rapinoe came in support of his demonstration and did the same by kneeling during the national anthem. 

For the USWNT, Rapinoe has been a priceless asset. However, Megan’s story of achievement extends beyond the soccer pitch. Rapinoe always spoke up for her fellow athletes when it counted the most; for example, she took a stand for teammates for pay discrimination. However, there was a time when she got struck, and her world was about to collapse. 

Megan Rapinoe struggled after the protest.

But like other protests, Megan’s efforts drew criticism as well. She had to deal with resistance from her staff in addition to the negative attention her activities had garnered from the outside. Meanwhile, Jill Ellis, USWNT head coach, was the witness to Megan’s heart-wrenching struggles. 

In her book One Life, Rapinoe addressed the whole issue. She penned, “This should have been the worst time of my life. I was in the wilderness with no team, no training camp, and no workable relationship with my coach. And while I was still technically a team member—Jill hadn’t fired me yet—what does that mean when you’re not even invited to train, let alone to play? My career as a national team player was shattered.”

READ MORE: “Such Utter, Evasive Bullsh*t”: Megan Rapinoe Was Infuriated at Former USWNT Head Coach for Poorly Handling Her National Anthem Protest

Further, she wrote, “I was out in the cold with no obvious path of return. And yet, as my agents discussed the possibility that I might never play for my country again, I didn’t feel despondent at all. I felt ignited. Everything in my life had been leading to this.” Rapinoe got a call from Ellis a few days later informing her that Ellis would not be attending the SheBelieves Cup too. This caused the coach and player’s relationship to worsen.

Rapinoe’s finding her way out

During the playing of the national anthem, US Soccer prohibited players from kneeling in 2017. The governing board made an apology, and the policy was later retracted. Nevertheless, Rapinoe joined Ellis in the national squad later in the year.

The USWNT won the 2019 Women’s World Cup with the guidance of Ellis’ following which she announced her retirement. Rapinoe was aware of Jill’s deeds, yet they were cordial in their acceptance statements.

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