National Women’s Soccer League season comes to an end
By The Associated Press
Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger, both nearing the end of their professional soccer careers, are preparing for the final game of their careers.
Although Krieger and Rapinoe are a 39-year-old defender and a 38-year-old winger respectively, they have not given up on the possibility of pushing their last seasons to the very end. The Snapdragon Stadium will witness the final game of the 2021 National Women’s Soccer League season on Saturday, featuring newcomers to the finals NJ/NY Gotham FC and Seattle’s OL Reign, both seeking their first championship since the league launched in 2013.
The two teams managed to secure the fourth and sixth seed in the playoffs, respectively, following a dramatic finish to the regular season, giving Rapinoe and Krieger a much-needed opportunity to cap off their careers with a championship.
Rapinoe, having won the 2015 and ’19 World Cup titles with the national team, announced her retirement this summer before the start of the season while Krieger, retired from the U.S. national team three years ago, also announced that this year would be her final pro season.
A friendly rivalry has been brewing between the two teams in anticipation of the match. OL Reign forward Jordyn Huitema said that they have been pushing to ensure that Rapinoe stays in the game as long as possible and the players would say to Rapinoe after each win, “Hey Pinoe! Guess what? You’re still going!”
Saturday’s match will be more than a mere championship game; it will also be a celebration of two players who have been instrumental in their league and deserve to have their esteemed careers culminate with the greatest recognition.
The game, though, will be the last for one of the legends. However, tightened schedules will almost immediately disconnect players from the field and have them involved in wearing the hats of mothers and fiancées. Even though their careers will end after the game, they remain lifelong friends.
No matter what the result, both players are looking forward to the final moments on the field and are excited to soak it all in.
Saturday’s game will take place between NY/NJ Gotham vs. OL Reign at Snapdragon Stadium.
After the game, Rapinoe will return to her fiancée, retired basketball star Sue Bird, while Krieger returns to her children after the game.