Netflix’s ‘Under Pressure’ put forward an oft-overlooked but real part of a job well done. On the sports field, regular wins result in wins becoming the norm with anything less likened to failure. Team USA’s wins in Edmonton (2015) and Nice (2019) put them on the precipice of history. The soccer dynasty would have become the first team to win three World Cup titles in a row. But would this be such a challenge for the mighty Team USA featuring the likes of Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan?
The weight of expectations clearly proved so, with Megan Rapinoe touching on it in Netflix’s ‘Under Pressure’. She said, “I always say it’s the worst job in the world, because if you do your job, then you were supposed to, and if you do one hair less, then you are gonna get lambasted for it.” The 2019 Ballon d’Or Feminin winner’s words cast a spotlight on the reality of being an elite athlete.
This is something top teams/players do to set an environment that believes in winning. Coach Vlatko Andonovski believes it is something that has been nurtured and evolved. In the same episode, he said, “It’s literally win every game. It’s very simple. If you win, you’re doing well. If not, it’s not good enough.” It can be seen as the price of continued success, with many sporting dynasties facing the same pressure and weight of expectations.
via Getty
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 06: Megan Rapinoe of The United States reacts during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Winner Group G and Runner Up Group E at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Alex Pantling – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Team USA suffered their first World Cup defeat since 2011. Sweden ended their hopes of a three-peat in R16 with a win via penalties.
Megan Rapinoe, though, did not walk into the sunset in Australia. She donned the national colors one more time in a friendly against South Africa on Soldier Field. It is at that moment she spilled the beans on how it felt to wear the USA jersey.
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Megan Rapinoe calls wearing Team USA shirt an honor
Rapinoe took to the field for the first 54 minutes before being subbed off to a thunderous ovation from the fans at the home of the Chicago Bears. Before making her final bow, she contributed with an assist.
After the final whistle, Rapinoe spoke about living her childhood dream. She said, “It has been such an honor to be able to wear this shirt and to play with all of these amazing players and to just live out my childhood dream casually in front of the world.”
“It’s going to be my honor to be an alumni of this team and watch this team continue to be as successful as we have been.”
An honor and success so great that anything but the best is seen as not good enough. This is clear proof that Megan Rapinoe had a stellar career where the expectations were always sky-high, showcasing the reality of a job well done.
