Throughout the history of the NWSL, few players have been more synonymous with one team than Megan Rapinoe with Seattle Reign.
Rapinoe spent ten seasons with Seattle, scoring a franchise-record 52 goals in her decade with the club.
On Thursday, Seattle Reign announced that they would be retiring Rapinoe’s number 15 this August.
A legacy unlike any other. 👑
To celebrate one of the greatest athletes in Seattle, @mPinoe's No.15 will be retired at Lumen Field on August 25th.
— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc) March 14, 2024
Retiring jerseys in soccer leagues is very rare compared to other US sports. Rapinoe’s will be just the fifth jersey retired in the 12-year history of the NWSL, joining Leslie Osborne, Lauren Holiday, Lori Chalupny, and Joanna Lohman.
Rapinoe will be the 5th player in @NWSL history to have her jersey number retired.@LeslieOsborne12 @lorichalupny @laurenholiday12 @JoannaLohman https://t.co/p0I37xvrjw pic.twitter.com/2dH21cyE27
— Keeper Notes (@keepernotes) March 14, 2024
In addition to her tremendous career with Seattle, Rapinoe is one of the most decorated players in the history of the U.S. Women’s National Team. Her 203 caps place her 11th all-time and her 63 goals are tenth-best. The midfielder also won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics and two Women’s World Cups in her time with the USWNT.
Fans on social media expressed their joy following the announcement.
“Was literally last night when i was thinking about who would take pinoe’s number this season and thought it would be rad if it was retired, absolutely deserved” one fan said.
was literally last night when i was thinking about who would take pinoe's number this season and thought it would be rad if it was retired, absolutely deserved 💙 https://t.co/ZQLVe6puAQ
— ÐΛVłИΛ (@bertiedav) March 14, 2024
Another shared, “Not usually a fan of retiring numbers but if this means seeing Pinoe’s number in the rafters, no one is more deserving.”
Not usually a fan of retiring numbers but if this means seeing Pinoe's number in the rafters, no one is more deserving.
(also, when are the reign's shield banners going up in lumen?) https://t.co/QlBztiNdxz
— Coop ✌️ (@TheTallestCoop) March 14, 2024
“It is only right this jersey retirement happens the season after Pinoe’s retirement,” another fan said. “I will have so much more to say about her legacy this year but for now it is just exciting to see the Reign honor one of the greatest players and humans of all time.”
It is only right this jersey retirement happens the season after Pinoe’s retirement. I will have so much more to say about her legacy this year but for now it is just exciting to see the Reign honor one of the greatest players and humans of all time. https://t.co/8swXhFZvaG
— Bella Valeriano Munson (@munson_bella) March 14, 2024
“Climate Pledge Arena has Sue Bird’s number in the rafters forever. And now Lumen Field will have Megan Rapinoe’s number in the rafters forever. Seattle’s power couple for life! It’s beyond amazing!” another said.
Climate Pledge Arena has Sue Bird’s number in the rafters forever. And now Lumen Field will have Megan Rapinoe’s number in the rafters forever. Seattle’s power couple for life! It’s beyond amazing!
— Andrea (@LaNaquiuAGMO) March 14, 2024
