?We?re Closer to the End?- Megan Rapinoe Chokes Up After USWNT Loss to Canada at Tokyo Olympics 2020

Megan Rapinoe did all she could in the 30 minutes she was allowed to play in USA?s shocking exit from the Tokyo Olympics. However, a stubborn Canadian defence and a penalty for the reds saw the USWNT crash out, losing the game 0-1 to the North American neighbours.?

Although she had been a shadow of her World Cup form throughout the Tokyo campaign, Rapinoe hoped for a change in fortune in a ?clutch? game as they call it, but that moment never came. The result left the players heartbroken and dejected.

Veteran forward Carli Lloyd was particularly dejected, realising that this may have been her last Olympic Games. Representing the nation for over a decade, she and other players wanted to go out on a high.?

In a short statement after the match, Rapinoe teared up while talking about her long-time teammate. She got particularly choked up while entertaining the idea of this being Lloyd?s last Olympic Games.?

“Obviously you know we’ve been in this a long time together,” Rapinoe said. ?We’re both closer to the end than the beginning and we shared a lot of those happy moments on the field and not that many sad moments but we’ve had a few.?

Megan Rapinoe admitted that the team wanted to win for Carli Lloyd

Despite the loss, the ace forward was full of praise for her comrade, admitting that the team wanted to send Lloyd off with the highest honours in the gold medal.?

“We don’t even really need to?say anything, it just is tough. One of the greatest players that’s?ever pulled this jersey on.?Who knows ? it might not be her last Olympics,?but it probably is,? Rapinoe said.??Obviously we want to send everybody out on the happiest note and we weren’t able to do that today.?

Throughout this tournament, barring the monumental victory over New Zealand, the USWNT has not been able to find its rhythm. After initially losing its 44-game unbeaten streak, the team seemed out of water.

“I can’t quite put my finger on it, I’ve?kind of been thinking about the whole tournament we just didn’t have that juice that we normally do,? Rapinoe said, reflecting on the fortune that had finally turned its back on them. The star herself was not too sure about her continuity in the Games, but we may see Rapinoe attempt a comeback; Paris 2024 is surely on the USWNT?s mind.?