It ended the most excruciating way for Megan Rapinoe, a penalty kick skied over the crossbar, shock, disappointment, a rueful smile to herself.
“It’s just like a sick joke to miss a penalty,” Rapinoe said after the United States had been eliminated, 5-4, on penalty kicks after a scoreless tie with Sweden on Sunday in the round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup.
Rapinoe could not remember the last time she missed a penalty kick. She was sent on as a substitute late in Sunday’s game because she was so reliable. It was her penalty kick that provided the decisive goal in the final of the 2019 World Cup. This time, accuracy betrayed her on a night when age and injury showed in her legs.
There is more soccer to play. A National Women’s Soccer League championship to chase in Seattle with the OL Reign. But her announced retirement will arrive this fall at age 38. The light of…