On Sunday, United States Women’s National Team legend Megan Rapinoe made her final appearance with the team for an international friendly against South Africa. It caps off an incredible career for the superstar, and the tributes are starting to pour in.
During a recent interview with ESPN, NJ/NY Gotham FC and former U.S. international defender Ali Krieger opened up about what it was like playing against Megan Rapinoe, and it’s clear that it wasn’t fun.
“I try not to get too close so I don’t get beat and then I may look silly,” Krieger said. “But you can’t let her out of your sight and you can’t be too far. She doesn’t like to defend too much, so I know she kind of hangs out a little bit here and there. As soon as I see a player wanting to pick her out, and play her a ball, you just have to close it down quickly, and be there to try to affect it as best as you can.”
In fact, Rapinoe was so dominant that Krieger knew of only one sure way to stop her: “Foul her.”
Krieger said that she used this tactic “many times” throughout her career.
“And then we’d laugh about it after,” Krieger said.
It sounds like Krieger enjoyed playing alongside Rapinoe much more than she liked facing off against her.
