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5 USWNT players who have played their last game and who will replace them

By Caden Charpentier

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Megan Rapinoe of USA misses her team's fourth penalty in the penalty shoot out during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne / Naarm, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Megan Rapinoe of USA misses her team's fourth penalty in the penalty shoot out during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne / Naarm, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) /
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 6: Megan Rapinoe of USA takes her penalty her in the penalty shoot out the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 6, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Will Murray/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 6: Megan Rapinoe of USA takes her penalty her in the penalty shoot out the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 6, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Will Murray/Getty Images) /

After the defeat to Sweden in the knockouts of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, we look at what the next generation of the USWNT might look like. 

As goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher emphasized postgame, the United States was ousted from the World Cup by just millimeters. The third consecutive World Cup for the USWNT was not meant to be and the tournament exit means the departures of numerous players that have been vital pieces to the success of this program for years.

As they say, “All good things much come to an end.” It presents plenty of mixed emotions as the younger players have now officially been passed the baton following this Sweden defeat. From the backline to the frontline, the USWNT is going to have to rely on the up incoming youth embedded in the program and around the National Women’s Soccer League.

It is a tough pill to swallow, especially considering how well this team played defensively for the entire tournament. Though the 2023 World Cup run may be completed, there are plenty of young stars playing all around the world that are ready to fill the massive shoes that are being left behind.

Here are five replacements for USWNT players that have played their final game in red, white, and blue.

5 USWNT players that have played their last game and their replacements:

5. Megan Rapinoe

USWNT Replacement: Sophia Smith

Even before the World Cup, the world knew this was the last ride for Megan Rapinoe. The winger and world-class distributor leaves the game known for being a change-maker both on and off the pitch. The USWNT is a culture that uses its talent on the pitch to make an influence on the subjects that matter outside of sports. The United States’ No. 15 led that charge, leaving the team much better off than when she joined all the way back in 2006.

Though her national team career has come to an end, Rapinoe still has unfinished business to take care of with her club team, OL Reign. During the end of her international career, the role of the Reign winger changed. The University of Portland alum accepted it, coming off the bench with the mindset of passing her knowledge on to the next great.

During this World Cup, the world already saw the players that are going to slot into Rapinoe’s position. The face of this team in the front line was Rapinoe. Now it is Smith. While the two are different, there are also ways in which these American stars are similar. Both contribute predominantly on the left flank, at times acting as a secondary striker if needed. While Smith is more of a goal-scorer that is defined by her speed going forward, she creates a whole lot of chances for her team, sitting in second right now in assists in the NWSL with five.