After the emotional send off of United States Women’s National Team midfielder Julie Ertz in the first of two friendlies against South Africa, the red, white, and blue sent off Megan Rapinoe with a 2-0 victory in her last match of international play.
Rapinoe started in her 203rd international match, making her tenure with the USWNT the fourth longest in United States Soccer history. Rapinoe and the United States would start where they left off against South Africa on Thursday by putting the visitors on their heels defensively within the first few minutes of the match.
USWNT’s Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan kept their feet on the pedal offensively, force-feeding Rapinoe with multiple crosses inside of the box. Ultimately, the United States would break through in the 18th minute behind an Alex Morgan cross and Trinity Rodman finish to the back post to go up 1-0. Rodman officially netted her sixth international goal and her first back-to-back games with a goal for the national team.
After coming out of halftime up one goal, the United States Women’s National Team would not shy away and apply pressure for a second goal. Rapinoe would send a corner kick towards the net that would be punched out by the goalkeeper, and Emily Sonnett would finish the rebounded shot into the back of the net to extend the United States lead and finish the match with a 2-0 victory over South Africa.
Rapinoe would be subbed off in the 52nd minute to a standing ovation from over 25,000 in attendance at Soldier Field in Chicago.