Megan Rapinoe's final run on the global stage begins Saturday when the United States opens its quest to win an unprecedented third consecutive Women's World Cup title.
The 38-year-old American said this month she will retire after the tournament 바카라 an announcement timed to help the squad avoid distracting questions about Rapinoe's future.
바카라I'm just grateful to be able to do it in this way,바카라 Rapinoe said. 바카라I understand that it is incredibly rare for athletes of any stature to be able to go out in their own way, on their own terms, at the time that they want, in a way that feels really peaceful and settled for them.바카라
Her final World Cup begins Saturday when the U.S. plays Vietnam in Auckland. Although it was Rapinoe's desire to help her teammates focus on the tournament and not her future, her looming sendoff has still weighed heavily on the squad.
Kelley O'Hara nearly broke down in tears this week when asked what Rapinoe has meant to the team, and the game of soccer.
바카라I know that the world sees the Megan Rapinoe that the world sees, but we get to see her up close and personal, and the Pino that the world sees is an incredible person and human and that is her. She brings a sense of humour and lightness, but intensity and empathy,바카라 O'Hara said. 바카라She's one of a kind. There's never been one like her, there's probably never going to be one close to her.
바카라It's sad to think about this being her last, but she's done such incredible things for this team and for the world," O'Hara continued. 바카라I hope that we all send her out on a high.바카라
And midfielder Andi Sullivan said she's yet to accept that there will be a U.S. team that doesn't include Rapinoe whenever the Americans end the tournament.
바카라I don't really think about the team without her, and even as she announced it, she did it with such grace and humour and joy and light,바카라 Sullivan said. 바카라We're trying to just soak up as much Pino' as we can.바카라
Rapinoe isn't expected to have a major role for the Americans, and Vietnam should not be a tough challenge in its World Cup debut. Vietnam is one of eight nations making its first appearance at the tournament and has never played the United States.
The U.S., meanwhile, has never lost to an Asian nation in the World Cup. Vietnam prepared for the tournament with a respectable 2-1 loss to Germany, but then lost to co-host New Zealand 2-0 and was routed by Spain 9-0. Â
