U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe
© Romain Biard, Shutterstock

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month. All month long, Behind the Headlines will feature lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning pioneers in a variety of areas.

The professional soccer player Megan Rapinoe is a champion both on and off the field. As a midfielder for the U.S. Women’s National Team, Rapinoe is known for her dynamic skills as a scorer and playmaker. In soccer, a playmaker controls a team’s offense, often coordinating scoring chances through precise passing. Off the field, Rapinoe—along with her soccer-playing twin sister, Rachael—runs soccer training clinics. She has also worked with a number of human rights organizations, including groups devoted to LGBTQ+ rights.

Rapinoe helped the U.S. Women’s National Team to win a gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. In 2015 and again in 2019, she helped lead the United States to FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament championships. FIFA stands for Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football). FIFA is the governing body for soccer, which is called football in many parts of the world. In 2019, Rapinoe was awarded the Golden Ball as the World Cup tournament’s best player. Rapinoe also played on the U.S. World Cup team in 2011 and the U.S. Olympic team in 2016. In 2019, Rapinoe earned the Best FIFA Women’s Player award as soccer’s best female player. The award replaced the Ballon d’Or in 2016.

Megan Anna Rapinoe was born on July 5, 1985, in Redding, California. She began playing soccer when she was young. In high school, Rapinoe played for Elk Grove Pride United, a team for players under age 19, and the Elk Grove Pride of the Women’s Premier Soccer League, a semiprofessional league in the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States. Rapinoe then played soccer at the University of Portland in Oregon, where she helped the team win a college national championship in 2005. She also played on U.S. national youth teams before debuting for the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2006. Injuries caused her to miss international tournaments in 2007 and 2008.

From 2009 through 2012, Rapinoe played in the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league and the United Soccer League’s W-League. Rapinoe also played for Olympique Lyonnais in France’s top women’s league. Since 2013, Rapinoe has played for the Seattle Reign FC (now OL Reign) of the National Women’s Soccer League, the top tier of women’s soccer in the United States.

July 17, 2018

On Sunday, July 15, at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, the French national men’s soccer team defeated Croatia 4-2 to win the FIFA World Cup championship. It was the second world title for France, which first won the tournament in 1998. It was Croatia’s first trip to the World Cup final. FIFA stands for Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football). Soccer is called football or association football in much of the world. FIFA is soccer’s world governing body. Held every four years, the World Cup is the world’s most important and prestigious soccer tournament.

The French national men’s soccer team celebrates its World Cup championship at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, on July 15, 2018. Credit: © Franck Fife, AFP/Getty Images

Winning the global soccer championship is the dream of every nation’s team, and fans on every continent—yes, Antarctica too—follow the tournament closely, even rabidly, devouring every minute of every match. Many fans travel great distances and pay exorbitant amounts of money to watch their teams compete in the tournament, which was played this year in 12 stadiums in mostly western Russian cities. The World Cup is the end of a two-year elimination tournament process that narrows the global field of more than 200 teams to just 32. The host country (in this case, Russia) and the previous champion (Germany) receive automatic berths.

The year and name of each FIFA World Cup winner since 1974 is engraved on the underside of the trophy. Credit: © Alfredo Lopez, Jam Media/LatinContent/Getty Images

The opening group stage of the World Cup divides the 32 teams into 8 groups of 4. The top two teams of each group advance after playing the other three teams in their group. This year, Russia romped its way through the opening stage in front of delirious fans. Germany, however, became the fourth defending champion in the last five tournaments to be eliminated in the group phase. Superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal shone in the opening round, while fellow star Lionel Messi helped prevent early ejection for Argentina.

In the so-called “knockout” phase (because one loss means elimination) of 16 teams, both Ronaldo and Messi packed their bags for home, as did the Mexico team that looked so impressive in the group stage. A talented Belgium squad mounted a furious comeback to eliminate Japan, which was the first World Cup team to advance from the group stage on “fair play” points. Japan had tied Senegal in every category on the field but one: the Japanese had fewer fouls. In the intense quarterfinals, Belgium, England, and France advanced over Brazil, Sweden, and Uruguay, respectively, and feisty Croatia scraped by in a penalty kick shootout win over Russia. In the semifinals, France downed Belgium 1-0, and England lost to Croatia and its superior midfield, 2-1.

From the opening kick of the World Cup final, France’s superb athletes dominated the pitch, outrunning and eventually out-shooting their Croatian opponents. A French free kick in the 18th minute (each match has two 45-minute halves) ricocheted off a Croatian defender and into the net, giving France a 1-0 lead on the first “own goal” in World Cup final history. The lead was short-lived, however, as Croatia’s Ivan Perišić knocked in the equalizer 10 minutes later. Before the half, French star Antoine Griezmann drilled a penalty kick for a 2-1 advantage.

France hit the accelerator in the second half as stars Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappé each hit dazzling goals for a seemingly insurmountable 4-1 lead. As the champagne was chilling, however, a few ice cubes clinked to the floor as Mario Mandžukić retaliated with a Croatian goal in the 69th minute. The final 20 minutes then evaporated as France played keep away and thwarted every Croatian attack. A few minutes of stoppage time passed uneventfully, and the final whistle gave all of France—the team, the fans, and the nation—the feu vert (green light) to pop the corks.

French manager Didier Deschamps, who was team captain on the 1998 world championship squad, embraced his players as they lined up in a sudden drenching rain to receive their World Cup gold medals. For France, the date of its 2018 title (July 15) can now be celebrated every year after the country’s great national holiday, Bastille Day (July 14.) Croatian disappointment was quickly replaced by pride in the achievement of reaching the final, and midfielder Luka Modrić added to Croatia’s consolation by winning the Golden Ball Award as the tournament’s best player.

On the day before the World Cup final, Belgium defeated England 2-0 in the highly anticlimactic contest for third place in the tournament. England’s Harry Kane won the Golden Boot by leading all scorers with six goals. Thibaut Courtois of Belgium won the Golden Glove Award as the tournament’s best goalkeeper. Since the World Cup began in 1930, Brazil has the most championships (5); followed by Germany and Italy (4 each); Argentina, France, and Uruguay (2); and England and Spain (1).

March 14, 2016

The world’s great mania for soccer—which is called football in most countries—has taken root and thrived in the United States. Professional leagues for both men and women are more popular than ever, and Americans watched in record numbers as the U.S. Men’s National Team battled to a tough knockout round loss to Belgium in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. FIFA is soccer’s world governing body. But it is the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT)—Team USA—which has earned the title megastar.

The United States Women’s National Team celebrates with the trophy after they beat Japan 5-2 in the FIFA Women’s World Cup soccer championship in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Sunday, July 5, 2015. Credit: © AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

The USWNT began humbly in 1985, losing badly to more traditional soccer powers from Europe and South America. But U.S. women’s soccer gained momentum in spectacular fashion as the team won the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup held in China in 1991. That first World Cup began humbly, too. In fact, the sport’s governing body refused to call it a World Cup. Few remember that early tournament’s official title: 1st FIFA World Championship for Women’s Football for the M&M’s Cup. That title doesn’t quite roll off the tongue, say, like an M&M.

Women’s soccer gained great popularity following the M&M’s Cup, and the next global tournament, held in Sweden in 1995, was graced with the World Cup title. The USWNT finished third that year, but won the World Cup again in 1999 as the tournament was played on American soil. The USWNT crept into mainstream U.S. sports talk, and soon people began to recognize such stars as Michelle Akers, Brandi Chastain, and Mia Hamm.

The USWNT blossomed in the 2000’s, cultivating such stars as Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Christie Rampone, Megan Rapinoe, Hope Solo, and Abby Wambach. Team USA fell short, however, in the 2003, 2007, and 2011 Women’s World Cups, finishing second or third in all three tournaments. The team returned to greatness in 2015, however, dominating the Women’s World Cup in Canada for their third world championship. That year, U.S. head coach Jill Ellis was named FIFA’s World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football. Lloyd, who famously scored three goals in the World Cup Final, won the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award. Two other Team USA players had previously won that award: Hamm (2001 and 2002) and Wambach (2012).

The USWNT has dominated the Olympic Games since women’s soccer became an official sport in 1996. In five Olympics, Team USA has won four gold medals and one silver. With the Summer Olympics just a few months away in Brazil, expect another dazzling medal run for the American megastars.

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February 22, 2016

In January, Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi won his record fifth Ballon d’Or (Golden Ball), an annual award given to the best men’s soccer player in the world. The Ballon d’Or was just the latest tip of the cap for Messi, who has captivated soccer fans since his debut with FC (football club) Barcelona in 2004. One of the best scorers ever to step on the pitch, Messi has racked up 297 goals in his Barcelona career—more than any other player in Spanish league history.

Lionel Messi is an Argentine soccer star who is internationally famous for his speed, his ball handling skills, and his goal scoring. Credit: © AP Photo

In 2008, Messi led the Argentine national team to a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in China. In 2012, playing for both Barcelona and Argentina, he scored 91 goals, the most by a player during one calendar year in professional soccer history. In 2014, he powered Argentina to the FIFA World Cup final in Brazil (a 1-0 extra time loss to Germany). FIFA stands for Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football). FIFA is soccer’s world governing body. Such was his presence at that tournament that the final was often billed “Messi versus Germany.” Statistically, he didn’t qualify for the all-tournament team, but on reputation alone he was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player in the World Cup.

Lionel Andrés Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. He began playing soccer as a child, playing on local teams. From the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with a deficiency of human growth hormone. Human growth hormone is the main hormone that regulates human growth and development during childhood and adolescence. FC Barcelona signed Messi to a contract and agreed to pay for the treatment he needed to attain a normal height. He and his family moved to Barcelona. Messi obtained Spanish citizenship in 2005 but kept his Argentine citizenship as well.

Other World Book articles: 

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November 2, 2015

New Zealand’s defeat of Australia Saturday for the 2015 Rugby World Cup was more than a victory, it was a coronation. Many sports writers praised the 2015 All Blacks as the greatest team in the history of the sport. New Zealand won its second straight title and third overall (the team won the first World Cup in 1987). The All Blacks became the first team to win three cups.

Ma’a Nonu beats the diving tackle of Drew Mitchell to score the 2nd Try for New Zealand. Credit: © Rex Features/AP Photo

Coach Steve Hansen said team captain and flanker Richie McCaw and fly-half Dan Carter were the greatest All Blacks in history, a gigantic tribute considering the long and hallowed tradition of the sport in New Zealand. After the match, McCaw, who kicked 19 points against Australia, announced his retirement.

The final match was played at Twickenham Stadium in London. Australia put up a game fight but still lost by a convincing 34-17 score. The tournament illuminated the fact that there is a considerable separation between New Zealand and the rest of the rugby world. The All Blacks had lost just three times in 54 matches since their World Cup triumph in New Zealand four years ago.

The success of the tournament validated rugby as a sport on the rise internationally. Exuberant but orderly fans from all over the world crowded the London streets in the days leading up to the Cup final. The competition drew a record 2,600,741 spectators for a Rugby World Cup tournament, 95 per cent of stadium capacity.

July 8, 2015

When a city’s team wins a national championship, the city holds a local parade or rally for the team and its members. But what happens when a national team wins a world championship—and those champs are women? On Friday, July 10th, New York City will host a rare ticker-tape parade for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, the winners of the 2015 FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) women’s World Cup. The parade breaks with decades of precedent to bestow a rare honor upon a group that competes outside the metropolitan area. The parade also marks the first time in more than 50 years that the honor will be bestowed upon female athletes. The parade route will go along Broadway and end at New York City Hall where a special program will be held. Manhattan borough president Gale A. Brewer, who led the push for the parade with a letter to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, said “this team will turn the Canyon of Heroes [parade route] into the Canyon of Heroines.”

The United States Women’s National Team celebrates with the trophy after they beat Japan 5-2 in the FIFA Women’s World Cup soccer championship in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Sunday, July 5, 2015. Credit: © Elaine Thompson, AP Photo

The parade will honor the U.S. women after their historic run in this year’s World Cup. The team ran through the tournament allowing only one goal all the way up to the final game. On Sunday, July 5th, the U.S. women went on top fast, scoring four times in the first 16 minutes against Japan. They went on to finish the championship game 5-2. The victory is the third World Cup title for the U.S. women, the only nation to achieve that feat.

Fans held television viewing parties across the United States to watch the tournament. The final match was seen by a record 26.7 million in the United States—the most viewed soccer game in the history of American television.

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July 6, 2015

After a long 16 years, the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team boldly brought the World Cup title back to the United States on Sunday, July 5th. Scoring four goals in the first 16 minutes, including a hat trick (three goals by one player), helped the U.S. women rise up against Japan in a rematch of the 2011 women’s World Cup final. With this year’s win, the United States became the first country to win three FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) women’s World Cup titles.

The United States Women’s National Team celebrates with their trophy after they beat Japan 5-2 in the FIFA Women’s World Cup soccer championship in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Credit: © Elaine Thompson, AP Photo

In 1991, the United States won the first FIFA-sponsored women’s World Cup championship. Just like the men’s World Cup and the Olympics, this event is held every four years. The United States won the title again in 1999, the first of two consecutive tournaments hosted in the United States. The U.S. did not make the finals in 2003 or 2007. In 2011, they lost to Japan in penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw in the 90-minute regulation playing time.

Canada hosted the 2015 women’s World Cup. Throughout the games leading up to the final, the United States prevented almost all of their opponents from scoring. Only Australia, in the very first game of the month-long tournament, was able to get past U.S. goalie Hope Solo. The United States Women’s National Team won five games and had one 0-0 draw, or tie.

Japan coasted through all the stages leading to the semi-final. After 90 minutes of play, Japan and England were tied 1-1 in the semi-final. But in stoppage time (the time added on for injuries), England hit an “own goal” into their net and put Japan up 2-1. That was enough for Japan to win and move on to play the U.S. in the final.

On Sunday evening, both the U.S. and Japan teams looked strong. But with the fastest hat trick in women’s World Cup final history by Carli Lloyd, and another goal by Lauren Holiday, the U.S. were off to an unbelievable start, up 4-0 just 16 minutes in. After a goal for Japan in the 28th minute, Japan built momentum in the second half and scored again. But another goal scored by the U.S. slowed Japan’s momentum, and the U.S. went on to win 5-2. With the team’s five goals against Japan, the U.S. now hold the record for most goals scored in women’s World Cup play, with 112.

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July 1, 2015

Last evening in Montreal, the American women’s national soccer team defeated the number-one ranked women’s team, Germany, to win their semifinal game in the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup tournament. The Americans played an aggressive game and outscored the German team 2-0. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carli Lloyd, a midfielder, scored the first U.S.goal on a penalty kick. There was some controversy as to whether the penalty kick that led to Lloyd’s goal should instead have been a free-kick. This became unimportant when, in the 84th minute of the game, Olympic gold medalist Kelley O’Hara, playing forward, kicked in a goal to make the U.S. win clear-cut.

Germany and Nigeria faced off in a 2014 World Cup semifinal game. AP photo, the Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson.

In a fast-moving game, Germany’s Alexandera Popp and U.S. player Morgan Brian collided and sustained head injuries. Both women continued play, but it caused soccer commentators to question FIFA’s concussion and substitution policies for players with head injuries.

The U.S. Team will play the winner of the Japan-England semifinal match this Sunday, July 5, in the FIFA World Cup final. FIFA has been embroiled in allegations of corruption, and the association anoounced that it’s long-time president, Sepp Blatter, himself under investigation, would not be attending the women’s World Cup final.

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June 5, 2015

Soccer’s World Cup tournament for women, held every four years to determine the best team in international soccer, begins tomorrow.  The first match features the team of the host country, Canada, against China.

Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala leaps over Germany’s goalkeeper, Meike Kaemper, during the Women’s World Cup final in Montreal, Canada, in 2014. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

The tournament runs from June 6 to July 5 and will be held in five Canadian cities: Edmonton, in Alberta; Moncton, in New Brunswick; Montreal, in Quebec; Ottawa, the nation’s capital, in Ontario; Vancouver, in British Columbia; and Winnipeg, in Manitoba. The first match will be held in Edmonton. Favorites for this tournament include the teams from the United States, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, and Brazil.

The tournament comes at a difficult time for international soccer. Over the past weeks, officials from the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) have been arrested and charged with corruption. Last week, the organization’s president, Sepp Bladder, announced that he would resign as soon as an election could be held to choose his replacement. This announcement came only five days after Bladder was reelected to his fifth term as FIFA president.

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July 14, 2014

Mario Götze scored in the 113th minute of the World Cup final yesterday to give Germany a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the championship game at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The title is Germany’s fourth, compared with host Brazil’s record five championships. Germany’s victory marked the first time that a European team won the cup in a tournament held in the Americas.

The 22-year old Götze entered the game in the 88^th minute; 25 minutes later, he instantly became one of Germany’s all-time sports heroes.  Ironically, Götze had replaced Miroslav Klose, who had broken the all-time career record for goals scored in World Cup competition.

Germany’s victory stole the spotlight from Lionel Messi, the Argentine star generally considered the best player in the world. Messi received the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player, but it was Götze and his teammates who carried off the big prize.

Soccer is the world’s most popular sport. The World Cup Finals, the biggest single-event sports competition in the world, involved 32 countries whose teams played 64 games in 12 cities over 32 days. A description of the World Cup as “the planet’s single greatest collective human experience” by sports writer Roger Bennett captured the fervor aroused by the 2014 tournament.

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