Rapinoe during the World Cup has embodied the USWNT's ethos of being brash and confidentGETTY IMAGES
USWNT F Megan Rapinoe has scored five goals during this year's Women's World Cup as the U.S. heads into tomorrow's semifinal against England, and it is "her World Cup now," as she is the "most important athlete on the planet at the moment," according to Greg Cote of the MIAMI HERALD. She scored both goals in the U.S.' 2-1 win over France in the quarterfinals on Friday following a public spat with President Trump in the days leading up to the game. Rapinoe is a woman in "full power, on a mission, carrying her team, taking on the world," and it is a "rather awesome thing to see" (MIAMI HERALD, 6/30). In Boston, Tara Sullivan wrote Rapinoe has been able to "push all distractions away and continue to be the best all-around player in the tournament" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/30). The AP's Anne Peterson wrote Rapinoe "stands out" with a "colorful vocabulary and manner to match her pinkish-purple hair." The USWNT as a whole is "unapologetically brash and confident," and if "anyone embodies the U.S. ethos, it's Rapinoe" (AP, 6/29). In N.Y., Jere Longman wrote Rapinoe has "perhaps become the representative athlete of our times" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/30). SI.com's Grant Wahl wrote during every "challenge that she has embraced," Rapinoe "somehow finds a way to rise to the occasion" (SI.com, 6/28). In Houston, Jerome Solomon wrote Rapinoe is "one of America's finest" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/30). In S.F., Ann Killion noted during U.S.-France, "applause for Rapinoe, from both fan bases, was long and loud" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 6/29).
A DIFFERENT HOUSE VISIT PLANNED: U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) invited the U.S. team "to visit the House of Representatives" after Rapinoe and other players have publicly stated they "wouldn't visit the White House." Rapinoe following Friday's game "enthusiastically accepted" the offer (PEOPLE.com, 6/29).
NUMBERS GAME: In Miami, Jason Dill noted each USWNT player receives a $90,000 bonus for reaching the World Cup quarter-finals, but that figure is "more than six times less than what each U.S. men’s player would make for reaching the same stage of the World Cup" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 6/28).
