Megan Rapinoe

Megan Rapinoe
  • U.S. National Team: WNT
  • Position: Midfielder
  • Date Of Birth: July 5, 1985
  • Height: 5-7
  • Hometown: Redding, Calif.
  • Club: Philadelphia Independence

One of the team’s best goal scorers and craftiest players, Rapinoe saw the early part of her career stalled by knee injuries, but over the past year or so she has developed into a true scoring threat for the USA. She set up the clinching goal in second leg of the USA’s two-game playoff series against Italy to earn a berth to the Women’s World Cup and can strike on goal equally well with both feet.

2010: Recovered from illness to work her way back into the U.S. lineup, starting eight of the 10 games she played … Scored four goals with two assists, one of which came in the second leg of the Women’s World Cup playoff series against Italy that set up Amy Rodriguez’ game-winning goal … Started both games in the playoff series … Scored against Sweden and China, and twice against Guatemala at the CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifying tournament, in which she played three games … 2009: Made a big impact in her return to the WNT for the first time in two years, playing in seven games and starting six while scoring two goals with one assist … Scored against Norway in the Algarve Cup in a 1-0 victory and also added a goal against Canada in Toronto … 2008: Did not play for the USA in 2007 or 2008 as she recovered from two ACL injuries … 2006: Trained with team at 2006 Residency Training Camp in Carson, Calif. … Came into training with the USA early in 2006 and played in four matches, scoring her first two career goals against Chinese Taipei on Oct. 1, but returned to her college team and suffered an ACL injury just four days later … Youth National Teams: Was one of the standout players on the U.S. team that finished third at the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship in Thailand … She had an excellent tournament, scoring three goals, tied for the team lead, including one in the third-place match victory against Brazil … Ended her U-19 international career with 21 caps and nine goals … First camp with the U-19 WNT was in January of 2003 in Chula Vista, Calif. … Played in three matches at the 2004 CONCACAF U-19 Qualifying tournament, scoring three goals … Scored her first goal with the U-19s against Mexico on March 1, 2003 … Scored against Canada in 6-1 victory on May 27, 2003 … Traveled with U-19s on European tour to Netherlands and Germany in July of 2003 … Played in USYSA International Tournament in Houston, Texas in May of 2003 … Played with the U-16 GNT in 2002 and traveled with the U-16s to France and Houston … First Appearance: July 23, 2006, vs. Ireland ... First Goal: Oct. 1, 2006 vs. Chinese Taipei (two goals).
Signed with the Philadelphia Independence for the 2011 WPS season after the Chicago Red Stars ceased operations … 2010: In 2010, she struggled with illness and fitness, but played in 20 games, starting 19 and scoring one goal on the last touch of the last game of the season … 2009: Taken second overall in the first round of the 2009 WPS College Draft by the Chicago Red Stars …In 2009, she started 17 of the 18 games she played for the Red Stars, scoring two goals with three assists … Was named as a WPS First-Team All-Star … Youth: She played with the Mavericks from U-12 to U-14 … Then played with Elk Grove United until she went to college … Won State and Regional Champions with Elk Grove United in 2003 … National runner-up in 2003.

Played just three full seasons at Portland as her junior year was cut short after two matches due to an ACL injury … Had one more season of college eligibility remaining, but opted to enter the WPS draft … As a senior in 2008, she started all 22 games for the Pilots and was named a Soccer America First-Team All-American and an NSCAA Second Team All-American … Voted the WCC Player of the Year and was All-WCC First Team … She led the team and the WCC in assists (13) … Also became the eighth player in school history to get 30 goals and 25 assists in a career … Her 88 career points (30 goals, 28 assists) are 10th best in school history despite playing just 60 total games due to injuries … As a junior in 2007, she appeared in just two matches off the bench early in the year before suffering season-ending knee injury for the second consecutive season … Was granted a medical hardship waiver by the NCAA, but never used it … As a sophomore in 2006, she was among the nation’s leading scorers with 10 goals and two assists in 11 matches before suffering a season-ending knee injury against Washington State on Oct. 5 … She joined Tiffeny Milbrett and Shannon MacMillan as the only Pilots to score 25 goals and 15 assists in just two years … In 2005 as a freshman, she helped the Pilots to an undefeated season and the NCAA championship. … She was an NSCAA First-Team All-America and was on the Soccer America First Team Freshman All-America ... She made the College Cup All-Tournament Team and was the WCC Freshman of the Year ... An All-WCC First Team and All-WCC Freshman Team selection ... She played and started all 25 games as an attacking midfielder, scoring 15 goals and added 13 assists for 43 points … Also recorded seven game-winning goals … Did not play college soccer in what would have been her freshman season in order to play in the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women’s World Cup in Thailand … High School: Did not play high school soccer, opting for club instead … Parade and NSCAA All-American as a junior and senior … A McDonald’s All-American in 2004.

Full name is Megan Anna Rapinoe … Nickname is “Pinoe” … Enjoys playing guitar, the beach and shopping … Majored in sociology … Has a twin sister, Rachael who also played soccer at Portland … Is the youngest of six children … Prefers living in a city … Lists “Shawshank Redemption” as one of her favorite movies … Competed in track as a freshman and sophomore, and basketball as freshman, sophomore and senior in high school … Was on the honor roll every semester of high school … Enjoys traveling, going to zoos and good coffees … Her favorite cities are Sydney, London, San Francisco, Phuket, Chicago and Boston … She cannot travel without gum, a hair straightener, her computer, neck pillow, iPod, Blackberry and toothbrush … Her favorite musical artists are currently Florence and the Machine, Adele, Missy Higgins, Kings of Leon and Dar Williams.

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