It’s a bittersweet moment for the Seattle Reign. Though they announced the signature of midfielder Jaelin Howell and $50,000 in allocation money from Racing Louisville FC, it came at the cost of losing out star forward Bethany Balcer to the opposite direction. While the news is drawing mixed reactions from the supports, Megan Rapinoe finds it ‘hard to even imagine‘ her former teammate’s shocking exit.

Just after Reign broke the news, Balcer also shared a farewell message for her 19.8K Instagram followers, posting a carousel post. This caught the eye of Rapinoe, who reshared the post on her Instagram story with a lengthy caption saying, “This is so hard to even imagine. Boats, it was a god dang pleasure to boot balls at your head for so many years. Laughs, crys, jokes, wins, evisyerating referees with you is the true meaning of life. Love you always🚢❤.”

Notably, during Rapinoe’s time at the Seattle Reign, OL Reign before, Balcer was one player she clicked the most. Both shared remarkable moments off the pitch, keeping aside the domestic success they achieved collectively. The USWNT icon hung up her boots long ago, yet Balcer’s announcement made her both emotional and nostalgic about the good old days.

Aside from sharing the post that showcased some best memories with the Washington-based club, Balcer also wrote a lengthy message. “If only there were adequate words to express what my time in Seattle has meant to me,” wrote the Michigan native. “I’m heartbroken to be leaving this way but am forever grateful for the last six years.”

Expressing her gratitude to Reign for allowing her incredible growth, the 27-year-old admitted to making meaningful friendships and memories and will sadly miss them but will ‘last a lifetime.’ Balcer also voiced her honor to play for the club and hailed the ardent supporters of the city by stating, “I’ll always be your boats, bb8, or just Beth.”

She concluded, “To all the laughs, rondos, questions of the day, running into poles, drawing lines of offsides and goals—there’s not a group I would have rather done it all with. With lots of love and gratitude Boats 🚤.” Indeed, fans would have also shed some tears reading this statement. Yet, many are scratching their heads over Balcer’s cryptic message.

Before Megan Rapinoe’s heartfelt note, Bethany Balcer shared a cryptic message over Seattle Reign exit!

While it was a teary-eyed message from Bethany Balcer on Instagram, the story on X, formerly Twitter, was completely different. The midfielder made a surprising tweet, saying, “People will write the narrative they want to write, but the truth will always come to light.”

Was this sentiment directed towards the Seattle Reign, creating an impression of hatred?

From the looks of this move, it’s unlikely that fans or even Balcer in this case desired to leave Washington for Kentucky. Regardless, Reign’s general manager Lesle Gallimore extended heartfelt gratitude on the team’s behalf for his star forward, who shined in her rookie season. “She’ll be sorely missed in the locker room, by our staff and fans. BB8 leaves a lasting legacy.”

Be that as it may, it’s time for the Seattle Reign fans to move on from Balcer and start welcoming her replacement, Jaelin Howell. But one thing is certain – Bethany Balcer may have left Reign, but the city of Seattle will never let her leave!