Rapinoe explains why she announced today that she is retiring

Megan Rapinoe said his decision to announce his retirement before the world will help in choosing the USA better to focus on his quest to win a third straight world championship. The forward announced over the weekend that he will retire from competitive soccer at the end of the current season. Speaking to the media in Auckland on Wednesday and sporting a new blue hairstyle, Rapinoe said doubts about her retirement would have followed her and the team into the competition had she not announced her plans before the tournament began.

“Obviously I’m 38, I’m not going to play forever and it’s strange for me to have something fixed and feel at peace and not answer the questions. I wanted that for myself. It gives me to focus a lot more and for the team to do it too. Not like that they’ll ask us every time, after every game. Just out there and I can enjoy it and focus on trying to win the tournament,” he says.

Rapinoe has two World Cup winners’ medals and wants another. At the same time, she said, she wants to inspire girls in New Zealand to play soccer. “I think we’re really seeing and feeling the game grow and the world is changing around us. I know what it meant to me to see Mia Hamm up close or to see Brandi Chastain up close when I was younger, so hopefully it’s an inspiration to them, but I think it’s an inspiration to us as well.”

A range of World Cup hair colors

Rapinoe praised the training facilities the US team has experienced since arriving in Auckland, and said the cold and wet weather was not a concern. “I’m from Seattle, so I literally feel at home. I don’t mind too much. It would be another thing if we were in the tundra, but the weather is pretty mild, so maybe long sleeve will do. Honestly, I’d rather have this than blistering heat. I like to melt and I’m not very good with heat.” Regarding her new look, with her hair dyed blue, she said she brought a range of colors to New Zealand and fans can expect regular changes.