Megan Rapinoe’s pardon-my-French World Cup comments
USWNT star striker Megan Rapinoe is just as excited about Friday’s quarterfinal clash against hosts France in Paris as you are.
U.S. striker Megan Rapinoe, fresh off her two-goal performance in the Round of 16 against Spain, hopes to turn Friday’s quarterfinal match against France into a “crazy spectacle.”
“Hopefully it will be a complete spectacle,” an excited Rapinoe told reporters Monday in the mixed zone following the U.S.’s 2-1 win. “Just an absolute media circus, I hope it’s huge and crazy, that’s what it should be. This is the best game, it’s what everybody wanted, we want it, they’re up for it, all the fans are up for it.”
The highly-anticipated game at the Parc des Princes is already sold out. Rapinoe is hoping American fans, who have packed French stadiums at this tournament, make their voices heard.
“Maybe there’ll be a pretty even split in the stadium, we’ve been traveling pretty deep in this World Cup,” she added. “I hope it’s just a total s—show circus, it’s going to be awesome. These are the biggest games you dream about as a kid.”
It took a gritty performance from the USWNT to grab the win to set up the last-eight encounter with the host nation. France, too, is coming off a tough game after defeating Brazil 2-1 on Sunday in overtime.
The United States are looking to win back-to-back titles, while France is hoping to add their first after the men’s team captured the World Cup last summer in Russia.
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Rapinoe scored on a penalty kick after just seven minutes to give the United States the lead against Spain. Her second goal, also on a PK after Sam Mewis was tripped in the penalty box, came in the 76th minute. The goal proved to be the game winner.
The United States has made the semifinals at all seven previous editions of the Women’s World Cup, winning the title in 1991, 1999 and four years ago.