Megan Rapinoe’s Farewell and Record-Setting Attendance

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“SHE GIVES YOU THE PLATFORM TO THINK YOU CAN BE WHATEVER YOU WANT”- OL Reign’s longtime manager Laura Harvey talks about Megan Rapinoe’s impact in an emotional last pre-match press conference with the retiring star

I. “FOREVER REIGN, FOREVER MEGAN RAPINOE” 🏆

… So said the celebratory scarves for Megan Rapinoe’s farewell at Lumen Field last Friday night, played before a record crowd in the city Pinoe has called her footballing home since 2012 (with a brief visit to Lyon mixed in). Retiring at the close of this season, Rapinoe has melded her name deep inside the sports landscape of Seattle, becoming a local icon as she evolved into a global star, mixing her striking success on the pitch with advocacy for the sport and beyond it.

To celebrate her decade-long impact, 34,130 filled the stands of her regular season farewell, breaking the league-wide NWSL attendance record. And while Rapinoe noted to the press that she wished it didn’t take her farewell to break that number, the growth of the game from her first appearance in Seattle to her last encapsulates both her individual impact as well as the meteoric rise of the broader league. That legacy of growth will be counted among Rapinoe’s cabinet of trophies:

“Just looking at the league over the last 11 years and where we are now. I think women's sports in general, not just in soccer and not just in this country, is in such a better place. I think conditions for players are in a better place. I think the space that we have fought for to be our full selves on and off the pitch is a marker of our success. I think there's commercial success. I think there's media success. I think there's on field success. We've really, I think, done it all. And I think it’s an exciting time for women’s sports because we're just at the very beginning where we're starting to get the respect and the investment that we really need to allow us to reach our full potential.”

The Friday evening faceoff with Washington Spirit was a high stakes test with playoffs on the line for both teams, but ended 0-0. Despite the scoreline, the match featured no dearth of flair, with even opposing fans perhaps dazzled by this Trinity Rodman behind the back nutmeg.

II. NWSL playoff race stays packed with one weekend to go 🇺🇸🏆

Beyond the tear-filled farewells and star-studded celebrations of Megan Rapinoe in Seattle, two other NWSL clubs set their own individual attendance records this weekend.

North Carolina Courage ended the weekend in third place after drawing San Diego Wave 0-0 before a record 10,434 fans. In the Midwest, Kansas City Current broke their attendance record for the fourth time this season, hosting 15,671 fans as they sent six goals from six different players past the Chicago Red Stars, eliminating their visitors from the playoffs in a 6-3 victory.

In the words of NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman, “records are meant to be broken”. Five NWSL clubs have now surpassed their previous record attendances this year, with still one regular season weekend to go.

Speaking of that one singular pivotal regular season weekend left before us: nine of twelve teams remain in the race to clinch a playoff chance.

Two of them (the first-place Portland Thorns who welcomed current Golden Boot leader Sophia Smith back into action in a 1-0 defeat of Gotham, and the second-place San Diego Wave) officially earned a first round bye this weekend, and will vye for the Supporters Shield in their final matches.

Orlando Pride remain in playoff contention, but fumbled an early lead and ruthless start as Racing Louisville came from behind to defeat them, 3-2. Angel City FC kept their playoff hopes alive with a late comeback over Houston Dash - who they eliminated from contention despite this miraculous early team goal- thanks in part to the USA’s teenage wonder, Alyssa Thompson, running on to score the equalizer 90 seconds after entering the game. Savannah McCaskill settled it in stoppage time.

The final four spaces will be contested by seven tightly packed teams on Decision Day— next Sunday, October 15th.

MORE: In a controversial interview, San Diego FC owner commented that in a new partnership with San Diego Wave, the men’s team would take priority in scheduling priorities of their shared facility.

III. WSL Week 2: Alessia Russo gets booed by her former club and Alex Greenwood gets (controversially!) sent off 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Across the sea, WSL flew through their second weekend of the season with continued crowds, tactical battles, and gripping performances.

Not to be discounted from the zeitgeist, the weekend featured a controversial referee’s decision, as Manchester City’s Alex Greenwood was sent off with a second yellow for time-wasting. The match ended in a draw despite City playing with just ten women, absent Greenwood’s sturdy veteran presence, thanks to a golazo from Chloe Kelly and stoppage time salvation from Norway’s Guro Reiten. The USA’s Mia Fishel, who started the season with her first goal for Chelsea last week, started this match as well before subbing out at the half for the inimitable Sam Kerr.

Liverpool and Leicester City sit atop the table in the early throes of what promises to be a hotly contested pack, as both teams collected their second straight win of the season. And at Leigh Sports Village, a boisterous crowd observed (and booed heartily) as England’s striker Alessia Russo featured against her former club. As with City and Chelsea, a stoppage time stunner leveled the score to end the contest in a draw. This time, that last minute wonder came compliments of Arsenal’s Chloé Lacasse.

MORE: From Molly Hudson at The Times, Manchester City is aiming for the league title

IV. News and Notes 📰

1. Spain’s World Champion and two-time Ballon D’or winner Alexia Putellas scored her 181st goal for Barcelona this weekend, going top of the charts alongside Jenni Hermoso.

2. From The Guardian: Jenni Hermoso weighs in on pay parity and more from Mexico City, where she’s returned to play with her club after World Cup victory and turmoil.

3. Sportico dropped NWSL club valuations this week, with Angel City FC on top.

4. The USWNT’s 21-year-old Trinity Rodman says “she’s kicking herself” for World Cup performance 

5. Matildas and Sydney FC star Courtnee Vine has weighed in on taking an iconic, winning penalty over France in this summer’s World Cup

6. Following the model of their men’s league, Saudi Arabia hopes to recruit the world’s top women’s footballers to build their women’s league.

V. Parting Shots

KICK IT LIKE KELLY: Chloe Kelly gives Manchester City the lead with a high potential for goal of the week