Megan Rapinoe began her long goodbye with the equivalent of a homecoming.
In the decade and a half since she became a professional soccer player, Rapinoe’s career has taken her to soccer clubs on two continents, to Olympic Games on three and, soon, to a fourth World Cup.
Rapinoe, 38, grew up in Redding, Calif., about 250 miles north of the site of Sunday’s game, PayPal Park in San Jose.
She estimated that about 40 of her family members and friends had made the trip south to see the United States beat Wales, 2-0, in its final game on American soil ahead of the Women’s World Cup that starts later this month in Australia and New Zealand.
“This is the closest that I’ll ever get to play to Redding in my career,” Rapinoe had said on Saturday.
Persons:
Megan Rapinoe, Rapinoe, I’ll, Redding, ” Rapinoe
Organizations:
Olympic Games, women’s, PayPal, United States, Wales
Locations:
Rapinoe, Redding, Calif, San Jose, United, Australia, New Zealand