Why Megan Rapinoe’s awesome cover wound up on the cutting room floor

Megan Rapinoe’s outtake from the Sports Illustrated cover shoot with the USWNT was a fan favorite, but it didn’t make the cut.

Extra Mustard | Jul 14, 2015

Why Megan Rapinoe’s awesome cover wound up on the cutting room floor /

Megan Rapinoe’s whimsical balancing act at the Sports Illustrated cover shoot with the U.S. women’s national team was a fan favorite, but it didn’t make the cut.

Rapinoe, probably the most charismatic member of the team, took the World Cup trophy and perched it on her head, flashing a big smile.

The Washington Post and numerous Twitter users lamented that Rapinoe’s unique pose wasn’t the one used for her SI cover, but there’s a reason it got passed over.

• Watch: Megan Rapinoe throws out first pitch at Mariners game

“In the end, the geometry simply didn't work—it was one of those scenarios where we had to accept that the limitations of a vertical page didn't fit our needs,” SI editor Adam Duerson explained. “In order to get the whole Cup on the page—and you want to see the Cup—she became pretty small. That said: It helped immensely that we had another shot we absolutely loved, that showed Megan as her goofiest, most mischievous self. It's amazing to see headlines like ‘Megan Rapinoe won the SI cover challenge’ and know that, Wow—and she had so many other looks in the can!”

SI'S U.S. WOMEN'S WORLD CUP TITLE COVER SHOOT - THE OUTTAKES

SI's U.S. Women's World Cup title cover shoot - The Outtakes

Megan Rapinoe

Kelley O'Hara

Abby Wambach

Alex Morgan

Meghan Klingenberg

Ali Krieger

Tobin Heath

Alyssa Naeher

Sydney Leroux

Christie Rampone

Heather O'Reilly

Hope Solo

Ashlyn Harris

Lori Chalupny

Whitney Engen

Morgan Brian

Julie Johnston

Christen Press

Amy Rodriguez

Published Jul 14, 2015

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