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Megan Rapinoe Exclusive: USWNT Star Talks World Cup, Artificial Turf, FIFA
Published: June 4, 2015
When Megan Rapinoe thinks back on the goal—that goal, to the players and supporters of the United States women's national team—she's still not quite sure what to make of it. Words like "crazy" come to mind, and why not?
The setting was Dresden, Germany, and the quarterfinals of the 2011 Women's World Cup. Brazil led 2-1 in extra time, and the U.S. was heading for its worst-ever World Cup finish. But then, in the 122nd minute, the Americans broke forward for one last attack. The ball rolled out to Rapinoe on the left, and she drove a perfect cross to the back post, where Abby Wambach headed in a dramatic equalizer.
The U.S. went on to win the match on penalties and rode its momentum all the way to the final before losing to Japan in a shootout. And as Rapinoe sees it, the Wambach goal was the moment when the USWNT went mainstream—again. The team, of course, had already achieved widespread popularity in the U.S. in 1999, when Brandi Chastain's penalty at the Rose Bowl clinched a second women's World Cup title. But 12 years had passed, and when Wambach's header went in, a new generation of fans were hooked.
"From a macro perspective, I don't think we would be here today, where we are, with the kind of media coverage and the kind of publicity and support and popularity that this team have," Rapinoe said. "I think that kind of started to revive it a little bit, in a way."
The U.S. conquered the disappointment of losing the World Cup final by claiming gold at the London Olympics one year later, beating Japan in the final match. In the semifinals, the Americans erased three deficits and overcame a Christine Sinclair hat trick before beating Canada 4-3 in extra time.
The rivalry between the close neighbors remains fierce, and when asked whether Canada should be considered favorites as hosts of the upcoming World Cup,...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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