In a momentous event, Spain triumphed over its opponents and claimed victory in the FIFA Women’s World Cup on Sunday. This occasion marked the end of an era for the U.S. women’s national team, as it was the final World Cup appearance for the legendary Megan Rapinoe. Known for her exceptional skills and activism, Rapinoe’s absence on the field will undoubtedly be felt by fans and players alike.
I had the opportunity to meet Rapinoe when my wife produced a documentary about the struggles of the U.S. women’s team in their fight for equal pay. Recently, I had a chance to speak with Rapinoe over the phone to discuss the World Cup and reflect on the disappointments faced by the U.S. team. Rapinoe, who missed a crucial penalty in the team’s Round of 16 match against Sweden, shared her thoughts on the game, her critics, and the ongoing inequalities in women’s soccer.
During our conversation, Rapinoe mentioned that although she did not watch the game live, she managed to avoid spoilers on social media. We then delved into the exceptional qualities that make Spain such a formidable team. Their players have the advantage of playing together regularly, mostly in Spain for clubs like Barcelona, which contributes to a strong team dynamic and a shared playing style.
We also discussed some uncomfortable incidents that occurred during the tournament. One particular incident that stood out to both of us was when the president of the Spanish soccer federation kissed a player on the mouth while congratulating her. This sparked a conversation about the endurance female athletes are often required to display in the face of such mistreatment. Rapinoe highlighted the misogyny and sexism that still prevail in certain soccer federations and criticized the behavior of individuals like Luis Rubiales.
Moving on to the subject of political battles, I raised the issue of President Donald Trump’s comments following the U.S. team’s loss to Sweden. His words seemed nonsensical and lacked any basis in reality. Rapinoe agreed, emphasizing that the criticism her team faced during the tournament was unfounded and disingenuous. She pointed out the contradictory nature of the criticisms, which shifted from claiming the team was brash and arrogant when they won in 2019, to accusing them of lacking confidence and the right mentality when they lost this time.
We also discussed the disappointing commentary from Fox, a network profiting from broadcasting U.S. women’s team matches. Rapinoe expressed her disappointment with comments made by former U.S. men’s national team player Alexi Lalas, who called the team “unlikeable.” She also mentioned her former teammate Carli Lloyd’s criticism of the team celebrating and dancing after a draw with Portugal. We both agreed that these criticisms were unwarranted and fueled by a right-wing backlash against successful women.
We moved on to the broader picture of women’s rights and fair treatment in the sports industry. Rapinoe emphasized the importance of fighting for equality and progress not just within her own team, but also for other teams worldwide. She mentioned the need for equal pay, resources, and the eradication of misogyny, racism, and sexism in the sport. Rapinoe expressed her pride in being part of the movement for change and commended other individuals like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Coco Gauff, who are also fighting for their rights.
Before concluding our conversation, I asked Rapinoe about her thoughts on the Sweden game and her missed penalty. She acknowledged that the U.S. team had struggled to find their rhythm throughout the tournament. However, in the game against Sweden, they played more fluidly and showcased their strengths. She did express a wish that they had adopted this approach earlier in the tournament. Rapinoe also emphasized the importance of accepting that failures happen, and losing is a part of life and sport. She did not view their elimination as a devastating blow to the team’s identity or abilities.
In conclusion, my conversation with Megan Rapinoe shed light on various aspects of the World Cup and the challenges faced by the U.S. women’s national team. Her insights into the game, her critics, and the fight for equality in women’s sports were thought-provoking and inspiring. Rapinoe’s resolve to continue pushing for progress on and off the field is admirable, and her contributions to the sport will be remembered for years to come.
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