Why Megan Rapinoe Hasn’t Played Much in the 2023 Women’s World Cup

The U.S. women’s national team used a second-half goal against the Netherlands on Wednesday to earn a 1–1 tie and remain in control of its 2023 World Cup destiny heading into Tuesday’s group-play finale against Portugal. 

One very familiar name that didn’t see any playing time against the Netherlands was Megan Rapinoe, who has been the face of the USWNT for over a decade. The legendary 38-year-old forward is retiring this year and her role on this current team has been completely different than it has been in the past. 

Why? There are a few reasons.

First, she has been battling some injuries lately and it’s important to keep her fresh for later in the tournament. Another reason for her lack of playing time is, quite simply, the team’s strengths now center around younger players like Sophia Smith.

Sports Illustrated’s Stephanie Apstein wrote this about Rapinoe’s role before the tournament began: 

”In part that will be a function of her return from injuries—a lower-leg problem that kept her off the roster for the April friendlies and another one suffered in June that she called “quite minor.” But mostly her new role reflects the youth of the roster, which boasts 14 World Cup rookies and 11 players with fewer than 30 caps, including midfielder Savannah DeMelo, who will make her international debut in the tournament. There are more players who were born after the 1999 World Cup (four) than there are players appearing in their fourth World Cup (three). The next generation of the USWNT has arrived.”

Rapinoe did earn her 200th cap for the USWNT after subbing in for Alex Morgan in the 63rd minute of the team’s opening win over Vietnam last week, and looked strong during her time on the field.

We’ll have to wait and see if she’ll be more of a presence on the field as the tournament progresses but right now it seems like Rapinoe is content helping her team in other ways.

From Apstein’s piece on Rapinoe:

“Her leadership can take many forms. If she doesn’t complain about her role, how can a less-decorated player? She also works with young players on everything from shot selection to packing selection. (“I bring it all,” she said with a laugh.) “She just makes me feel like I’m supposed to be here, too. Her not treating me differently and just keeping that high energy makes me feel really comfortable and happy in the environment,” said Alyssa Thompson, the youngest player on the roster, at 18. But mostly, Rapinoe reminds them all what they are doing there."

The USWNT have won the last two World Cups and should be in contention to win a history-making third straight title in a couple of weeks.