SHE’LL BE BACK
Rapinoe sits out semifinal with injury, but vows to return for World Cup final
LYON, France — A minor hamstring strain kept star forward Megan Rapinoe out of the United States' nail-biting 2-1 victory over England in the Women's World Cup semifinals Tuesday night.
It didn't stop her from pouring off the bench with the other substitutes to congratulate their teammates, and Rapinoe is confident it won't rule her out of Sunday's final against either the Netherlands or Sweden.
Rapinoe was injured late in the second half of the 2-1 victory against France last Friday.
“It just tightened up a little bit toward the end. Just wasn't going to be ready for today,” Rapinoe said after the victory against England moved the U.S. closer to a fourth World Cup title. “But it's feeling much better and I expect to be ready for the final.”
When asked how confident she was, she replied: “It's a combination of how it feels and how it looks and what I can do. I expect (with) how it feels now to be ready. As is with these things, you just have to go day by day and see how it is.”
Rapinoe watched nervously from the bench as England had an apparent equalizer by its own star forward Ellen White ruled out for offside and, with just a few minutes remaining, watched goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher save a penalty kick by England.
There was widespread elation at the end, but for Rapinoe it was torture to watch.
“It's terrible. It's so stressful,” she said, breaking out into a smile of relief. “It's hard. You put everything into this game You have everything invested in it and no way to get rid of your anxiety.”
At the final whistle, she jumped into the arms of her teammates, embracing them one by one.
When she finally reached goalkeeper Naeher, she bear-hugged her first and then lifted her off her feet.