“This is What You Train For” – 38YO Megan Rapinoe Calls For Young USWNT Players to ‘Just Embrace’ the Adversities at the World Cup

The USWNT has proved its mettle on the international stage time and again. However, things look bleak for the side this time around with the team on the verge of an early elimination. USWNT veteran Megan Rapinoe has been with the side for some high-profile games.

However, the game against Portugal could be the team’s biggest challenge this year, with anything less than a win could see them getting knocked out of the World Cup. After a win over Vietnam and a draw against the Netherlands, Team USA will have to do all in its power and muster a win against Portugal in their last group game.

Megan Rapinoe issues rallying cry for USWNT before crucial clash

After a disappointing draw against the Netherlands, USA will look to come out all guns blazing in their game against Portugal. Megan Rapinoe was present for the team’s press conference before the game, where she rallied her teammates for the all-important clash.

“What can I do to affect the group? Saying something at half-time, saying something about the game plan. How can I affect the group well. Maybe not playing all the minutes I used to. I think I still I’ve been in almost every scenario that you could possibly be at this point. Telling players about different things. This is what you train for!” Rapinoe said.

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“They have not been in it, but at least they’ve heard about it. I can tell them how I approached it. It’s just a mindset thing. I’m totally confident all players on the field, they’re gonna score goals and do whatever they need to do. That’s the mindset of the bench too. We’re their biggest fans.” she added.

The USWNT will have to be in their best shape, heading into the clash against Portugal, as any miscommunication within the team could see the team miss a chance to complete a hat-trick of World Cup titles.

USWNT set to face Portugal in a do-or-die fixture

While Team USA had a great opening game against Vietnam with a 3-0 win in their favor, the team squandered multiple chances to score. The game against the Netherlands also saw the team commit some errors on the field, which proved to be costly with the game ending in a draw.

Fans have also questioned Vlatko Andonovski’s tactics from the game, as the USWNT head coach just used one out of her five substitutions. While the side struggled to find the winner, some of their players, including Megan Rapinoe, could only watch on from the sidelines as the game came to a 1-1 end.

With the team hoping to clinch a win against Portugal, it will be interesting to see if the USWNT can bag a win and move to the next round or succumb to the pressure and take an early exit from the tournament.

What do you make of Rapinoe’s warcry? Let us know in the comments section below.

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