Megan Rapinoe

Megan Rapinoe is an irresistible force—on and off the field. Playful, inventive and out-of-the-box, she injects the U.S. WNT with the creativity and hunger she’s had since she grew up roaming the fields in Redding, CA, with her twin sister and older brother. She’s delivered for the United States in the biggest of moments—perhaps most memorably in overtime against Brazil in the quarterfinals of the 2011 World Cup when she sent a fifty-yard wonder-cross to Abby Wambach in overtime and that “beast in the air just got a hold of it.” Since then, she continued to turn out big-time goals and big-time assists in the 2012 Olympics and 2015 World Cup. Now, the part-time captain and leader of the team will aim to do the same at the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

Ever since Rapinoe scored a goal against Colombia in the 2011 World Cup and then headed to the corner to serenade the flag with “Born in the USA,” she’s established herself as someone who leaves an impression. She’s used that sway beyond the field—a constant voice for equal rights whether the discussion is focused on gender, race or sexual preference. She also runs a camp with twin sister, Rachael, where she passes on the values that have made her great: having fun and working hard. Her favorite part is talking with the kids. When it’s time to rotate to her station, the campers sit down and ask her anything they want—like "how did you get to be you?"

Rapinoe considers herself lucky to have played in the Pacific Northwest (with the Seattle Reign, now Reign FC) for the past five years: “We’ve got strong ownership and great coaches and a super professional environment, and we live in a great city. It’s a very easy place to play. We don’t have as many fans as say Portland, but the fans we do have are passionate.” Rapinoe’s girlfriend, Sue Bird, is a fellow Seattle sports star, a professional basketball player for the Storm. Sue is five years older and Pinoe says, “looking at her was like a snapshot of what my future could be." Meaning you can continue to dominate your sport even in your mid-thirties. Dating Sue has meant picking up some of her training habits and diet patterns—and Pinoe is probably the fittest and most in shape she’s been in her career.