11 QUESTIONS WITH MEGAN RAPINOE
11 QUESTIONS WITH MEGAN RAPINOE
In the past year, you went from your college season, straight to the national team, straight to the WPS season and now back with the national team. How is the pro soccer life treating you?
Megan Rapinoe: “Very good. I guess I wouldn’t have it any other way. I get to do what I love, and now I get to do it all year round with the WPS. It kind of makes coming in with the national team even more special because you realize how many players there are in the U.S. It just makes it that much more of an honor.”
It has been well-documented that you’ve recovered from major injuries. How is the body feeling these days?
MR: “The body feels good. I am very fortunate to be completely healthy and have been for a while now. I felt good all throughout the WPS season. It was sort of a big final test, to go through a season, and not just a college season, and stay healthy. So the ‘ole horse is holding up.”
You’ve been playing flank midfielder almost exclusively for the national team, and played mostly on the left wing with the Red Stars, although you are predominately right-footed. Do you prefer coming down the left or the right?
MR: “It doesn’t really matter. Depending on which side I’m on, what I’m doing changes a bit. Coming down the right, I’m more dangerous continuing to the end line and crossing. Coming down the left, I cut into the middle a little more. But I like both. Being able to use both feet gives you the option to go inside or outside and play anywhere. I really feel comfortable on both sides.”
Although we know you didn’t see any of the games, what do you think of Germany’s dominating effort at the UEFA Women’s Championships?
MR: “It didn’t come as a surprise. None of the Germans came to play in the WPS and none of them play abroad so I felt they would be very united, organized and ready. I thought Sweden would do better. From what I’ve seen, I would have picked those two teams to make the final, but in big tournaments like that, you just can’t stumble or find your rhythm halfway through the tournament. You have to have it at the start and stay consistent and it seems like the Germans did.”
Aside from Pia Sundhage, you are the team’s most talented guitar player. Learn any new songs lately?
MR: “I haven’t been playing a ton, but I am working on a Joshua Radin song right now called ‘No Envy, No Fear.’ It’s kind of a slow, acoustic, chilled-out song. I’m not sure I’m ready to play it for an audience. We’ll see how much practice I can get in this camp.”