Megan Rapinoe has her sights set on going to the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
After featuring in two consecutive editions of the international tournament, the OL Reign figure confirmed she aims to continue challenging for a spot on next summer’s roster.
“I hope so. That’s the plan now,” she said on ‘The Limits’ podcast with Jay Williams. “I’m getting a little bit older, so I want to go through the season and see how my body feels and all that.
“But I feel like I still have a lot to give. And, you know, I know the team, the dynamic of the team, especially the national team is changing a lot, with a lot of younger players who are absolutely killing it. But I feel like I’d be a nice bridge into the next generation.”
US women’s national team head coach Vlatko Andonovski recently discussed the importance of balance between veterans and the new generation of American players. Andonovski recently called up several young figures for the latest round of friendlies and SheBelieves Cup to give new faces a chance, while pushing veterans to constantly get better and earn their spot.
While their contributions are appreciated, hierarchy does not automatically earn players a spot on the coveted USWNT roster.
“All these players are very good players – we know that they’ve done so much for this team. But right now I want to give a chance to players like Sophia Smith and Mal Pugh and Catarina Macario, Ashley Hatch, players that have earned their spot on the national team or earn their spot back,” Andonovski said in February.
“It doesn’t mean that all these players that have done well in the past are just going to come back here in the next camp because they’ve done well a year ago or two years ago.
“There’s a reason why we’re not calling Mia Hamm or Julie Foudy in camp, right? So the same goes here: they need to perform, they need to play in their markets, they need to play well in their markets, and show that they can still contribute and be valuable for the national team.”
With the 2023 World Cup qualifiers fast approaching, players must work hard to stand out. The USWNT has two friendlies slated in June against Colombia, before July’s qualifying tournament, and no spot is guaranteed.
