?The Walls of Our Bedroom Were Covered? ? Megan Rapinoe Admits Being a Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls Fan Before Taking Up Soccer

‘One Life’, the autobiography of famous USWNT soccer star Megan Rapinoe, makes us understand the player better. Rapinoe wrote about various aspects of her life and it is not only limited to her soccer life but her views on progressive politics too. Rapinoe never shies away from being outspoken and voices her opinions on civil rights from time to time. USWNT star is well known for her fight for equal pay to both men’s and women’s teams.

Rapinoe was a basketball fan in the early days. Soccer wasn’t her first love. The player was a big fan of the Chicago Bulls and basketball legend Michael Jordan. But what changed and Rapinoe become a soccer star?

Megan Rapinoe took up soccer, inspired by the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1999

The FIFA Women’s World Cup, 1999, hosted by the United States, brought significant change. The popularity of women’s soccer increased in the country. It was not only the success of the United States team in the tournament but also the success of the tournament that increased the interest of the fans.

Rapinoe wrote, “When we weren?t playing sports, we were watching them. Football, baseball, basketball, hockey, it didn?t matter what, we were fans. My dad, who spent his early childhood in Chicago, was a big Cubs fan, and Rachael and I quickly got into the Bulls. Basketball was our first love, and long before we put up posters of the 1999 World Cup champion US Women?s National Team, the walls of our bedroom were covered in life-size posters of Michael Jordan.”

The 1999 tournament held in the US left long-lasting effects on women’s soccer in the country. It inspired many to take a career in sports, and Megan Rapinoe was one of those. The tournament paved the way for the US soccer body to think of women’s league soccer. Many still believe the impact of the 1999 trophy made the way for the 2009 Women’s Professional Soccer league. The legacy left by the 1999 team was commendable.

Rapinoe’s career with USWNT

Rapinoe made her debut for the national team on July 23, 2006. Although, the start of her international career didn’t go well. Two separate ACL injuries meant she was out of action in 20027 and 2008. Rapinoe missed the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2008 Olympics.

Her first participation came in the 2011 World Cup. She scored a goal and assisted three in USWNT’s run to the final where they lost to Japan on penalties. Rapinoe was also part of the 2012 Olympics Gold Medal winning team. Rapinoe become two times World Champion when USWNT won the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cups.

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The 2019 World Cup was the peak of her career. Rapinoe won Golden Boot for scoring six goals and was named best player of the tournament. She scored her 50th international goal during the tournament and become the oldest player to score in the Women’s World Cup final. In her 197 appearances for the USWNT, Rapinoe scored 63 goals.

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From being a big basketball and Michael Jordan fan to a women’s soccer legend, what are your thoughts on her journey?