Megan Rapinoe Named NWSL Player of the Week
August 31, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – OL Reign News Release
SEATTLE, WA – The National Women’s Soccer League announced today that it has named OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe as the league’s Budweiser Player of the Week for her performance in the Reign’s comeback-win over the Orlando Pride. Rapinoe tallied the game-winning goal and an assist in the 2-1 win over Orlando. The second-half comeback-win on the road marked the Reign’s second time this season in their last three NWSL road games.
After going into halftime down 1-0, the Reign remained confident and continued to press in the second half, eventually finding the equalizer in the 56th minute. Rapinoe took two touches outside of Orlando’s box to create space before sending in a perfect cross and finding forward Bethany Balcer diving for the header.
The match remained tied 1-1 until stoppage time when defender Sofia Huerta crossed the ball from the top of the 18-yard box to the back post, where Rapinoe volleyed the ball into the back of the net, securing an important three points on the road. The 10-year veteran became the second player in NWSL history to score multiple stoppage-time winning goals in her career.
Rapinoe finished the match with one goal, one assist, one shot (excl. blocks), four chances created, 90 touches, and 14 duels won. The forward’s 14 duels won are the most among any NWSL player this season.
Since returning from international duty at the end of July, Rapinoe has started in four consecutive games, tallying four goals and three assists for the Reign. She has 44 goals and 20 assists all-time in NWSL regular season play, which moves her up to seventh all-time in total goals.
This is the first honor for Rapinoe and the fourth for OL Reign in 2022. This is also the forward’s eighth time receiving this award, making her tied for the second most of any NWSL player all-time.
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