As the U.S. Women’s National Team enters its first Pride Month without Megan Rapinoe, her legacy of LGBTQ+ advocacy continues to shape the team’s identity despite her retirement from international competition.

At a Glance

• The USWNT is celebrating its first Pride Month without Megan Rapinoe, who retired from international soccer after the 2023 World Cup
• Players will wear Progress Pride flag colors on their jersey numbers during June friendly matches against South Korea
• New captain Lindsey Horan has committed to continuing Rapinoe’s advocacy for inclusivity within the team
• Special Pride jerseys will be auctioned to benefit the You Can Play organization
• Rapinoe was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her athletic achievements and social justice advocacy

Rapinoe’s Legacy Lives On Through Team’s Pride Initiatives

The U.S. Women’s National Team is entering a new era this Pride Month, preparing for friendly matches against South Korea without their longtime advocate Megan Rapinoe. In a visible show of support for the LGBTQ+ community, the team will display jersey numbers featuring Progress Pride flag colors, which include black, brown, and transgender flag colors for increased representation. Current captain Lindsey Horan has emphasized that these initiatives reflect values deeply embedded in the team’s culture.

“The inclusivity of this team… and the things that we stand for are just massive and that’s what this team has always been like,” Horan told 9News Denver’s Arielle Orsuto. “I think Pinoe has just been a frontrunner there with everything that she’s spoken for. Obviously, I speak so highly of her.”

Following the matches, select Pride jerseys will be auctioned to benefit the You Can Play organization, which works to ensure safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports. The friendly matches will also mark the debut of new head coach Emma Hayes as the team prepares for the upcoming Paris Olympics, their first major tournament without Rapinoe.

Rapinoe’s Career Accomplishments and Retirement

Rapinoe’s international career came to a close in the 2023 World Cup Round of 16 with a loss to Sweden on penalties. The 38-year-old forward had announced before the tournament that it would be her final international competition. Despite the disappointing end, Rapinoe’s career with the national team was marked by tremendous success, including Olympic gold and multiple World Cup titles.

During the 2019 World Cup, Rapinoe scored six goals and won both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards as the tournament’s top scorer and most valuable player. Her performance on the field was matched by her outspoken advocacy off it, with President Joe Biden later awarding her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Controversy and Advocacy Throughout Her Career

Throughout her career, Rapinoe was no stranger to controversy. She refused a White House invitation during President Trump’s administration, prompting criticism from the former president. She also supported Colin Kaepernick by kneeling during the national anthem, despite potential career repercussions, and was a key figure in the fight for equal pay in women’s soccer, which resulted in a settlement with U.S. Soccer in 2022.

Rapinoe’s statement about the importance of LGBTQ+ players to the team’s success made headlines during the 2019 World Cup. That championship team featured five publicly LGBTQ+ players, including Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris, along with then-coach Jillian Ellis. According to Outsports, approximately 40 lesbian and bisexual players participated in the 2019 Women’s World Cup, more than double the number from 2015.

Team Leadership Responds to Recent Controversies

Current team leadership has faced challenges in maintaining Rapinoe’s legacy of inclusivity. Captain Horan and co-captain Alex Morgan recently reassured LGBTQ+ fans that they are “heard and seen” following controversial social media posts by a teammate. Their response highlights the ongoing commitment to inclusivity that defined Rapinoe’s tenure with the team.

Horan has emphasized the importance of representing diverse communities, stating that the team understands “what we’re representing” when they take the field. The team’s Pride Month activities, including special jerseys and outreach initiatives, aim to continue Rapinoe’s advocacy work even as the team transitions to new leadership both on and off the field.

While Rapinoe’s playing career has ended, her impact on women’s soccer extends far beyond her athletic achievements. Her willingness to use her platform to advocate for marginalized communities has transformed expectations for athlete activism and established a standard for inclusivity that the current team leadership appears committed to upholding.