“I can promise that we’ll get some big names there.” This is what Heather O’Reilly remarked during her inaugural appearance at the 2023 The Soccer Tournament (TST), a coed format, in which, of course, she couldn’t sustain a win. But boy did the veteran midfielder make a comeback in the following two consecutive 2024 and 2025 editions, not only winning the $1 million prize in the separate women’s bracket but also fulfilling her promise of bringing big names like Carli Lloyd and Ali Krieger. So, one would be expecting more from her next year, say, Megan Rapinoe?

That’s surely one of the big names that comes to mind. However, before one could even dream of witnessing the iconic forward make her potential TST debut next year, Pinoe herself has cleared the air regarding this possibility. Also, before we know the answer, how exactly did we come to this?

It all began on the latest episode of A Touch More podcast. During the segment, both Megan and her fellow co-host and partner Sue Bird discussed the emphatic success of the US Women’s team in TST. Somehow, that discussion took a turn towards the 2019 Ballon d’Or Feminin recipient, who was asked by the WNBA icon whether she would ever consider playing in the 7v7 event.

Surprisingly, Megan Rapinoe replied, “I don’t know just..” as if hesitant to answer her question. Hearing this, Sue Bird brought up Rapinoe’s Achilles injury, which the former U.S. forward suffered during her final professional career game at the 2023 NWSL final between OL Reign and Gotham FC.

Tragedy struck just three minutes into the match, as Rapinoe was forced off the pitch with a torn Achilles, ending her career not only in pain but also without the championship title as Reign lost 2-1 to Gotham. And now, more than a couple of years later, Bird pointed out that the former OL Reign star still hasn’t touched a ball.

Initially hesitant to admit to it, the 2x World Cup winner eventually came around before recalling how her recent rehabilitation has been going a bit tough. “I didn’t… except when I was banging my PKs at Nike Top Bins. But other than that, no, I’m not prepared to change direction. I actually fell onto the plyo box in my PT with Kyle the other day, so that was tough.” Ouch. That must have hurt.

But, while she said she is not prepared to play, who knows? By the time the next TST season rolls around, the Redding, California native might just feel ready to help some of her former USWNT teammates chase a three-peat!

Megan Rapinoe will be a perfect fit in the US Women’s TST

The former Chicago Red Stars forward further praised the tournament stakeholders for organizing the 7v7 event held in Cary, North Carolina. Given how there is a rising demand among fans to catch up with live events, be it in sports, entertainment, music, or more, the TST fits the bill perfectly. It is also a chance for supporters to see their favorite retired stars in action once again.

“I just love the kind of growing landscape around soccer in the country and I think this is like a brilliant little tournament,” remarked Rapinoe. She also insisted that this event is perfect for both the business and marketing standpoint, which will foster a growing interest among Americans in the beautiful game, with the 2026 men’s and 2031 women’s World Cups being held in the States.

Further congratulating her former USWNT teammates on their million-dollar win, Rapinoe joked, “I’m not paying for the next dinner.” Well, in that case, here’s hoping that dinner also turns into a chance for her former locker room partners to convince her to join the tournament.