Seattle Reign removes Megan Rapinoe’s jersey from NWSL game

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Reign retired former star Megan Rapinoe’s No. 15 jersey and capped the celebrations Sunday night with a 1-0 stoppage-time win over the North Carolina Courage in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Seven minutes into stoppage time, teenager Emeri Adames finally broke through for the Reign when his header bounced off the post and into the net, leaving Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy trying in vain to prevent it.

Adames, 18, then celebrated by striking Rapinoe’s iconic 2019 Women’s World Cup victory pose as Rapinoe cheered her on from the stands.

Jaelin Howell nearly scored for Seattle shortly after coming on as a substitute in the 75th minute, but her left-footed shot from the front went just wide. Howell was acquired by the Reign earlier this week as part of a trade with Racing Louisville.

The win was the 100th in the NWSL for Reign coach Laura Harvey.

This weekend’s games were the first for the NWSL after a six-week break in the regular season due to the Olympics.

Rapinoe spent her entire NWSL career with the Reign before retiring from soccer last year, and her jersey was the first to be retired by the club.

Rapinoe joined the Reign in the league’s inaugural season in 2013 and played in 115 regular season games, scoring 51 goals.

Fans displayed a banner with Rapinoe’s picture and the words: “You changed the game.” Seattle’s Space Needle was lit up in lavender for the occasion – a nod to Rapinoe’s hair color at the 2019 World Cup.

“Just overwhelmed,” Rapinoe said. “Honestly, the club did a great job all weekend to put this together, and to see everyone in lavender, all the number 15s, all the support, it’s the world to me. Just overwhelming.”

Spirit 4, Current 1

Trinity Rodman scored a goal to help the Washington Spirit to a 4-1 victory over Kansas City Current Audi Field, her fifth goal of the season.

Rodman scored three goals for the USA at the Olympic Games in Paris, helping the team to an undefeated gold medal.

The Spirit took an early lead on Paige Metayer’s goal in the ninth minute and Ouleye Sarr’s goal in the 14th minute. Sarr is the Spirit’s leading player with eight goals. Croix Bethune recorded her 10th assist of the season, tying Tobin Heath’s single-season record, which she set with Portland in 2016.

Following Rodman’s goal in the 50th minute, the Currents’ Temwa Chawinga scored her league-leading 13th goal. Chawinga tied a league record by scoring in six consecutive games.

Leicy Santos, making her NWSL debut, capped the game with a final goal for the Spirit. Santos, who played for Colombia in the Olympics, joined the Spirit from Atletico Madrid.