Megan Rapinoe has been repeatedly forthcoming about her chances of making the United States women’s Olympic squad. There’s simply too much at stake with regards to her career to rush back after her third serious knee injury. However, it’s impossible not to get excited about the news that Rapinoe has returned to training with the USWNT.
The USWNT is preparing for their final two warm-up matches, against South Africa and Costa Rica, before a decision on the final 18-member squad is made.
Now, as Rapinoe says, it’s completely up to coach Jill Ellis as to whether or not the short timetable for recovery has spectacularly allowed Rapinoe to get back to her very best.
Rapinoe began her recovery from an ACL injury on December 4th, all while tentatively keeping in mind one key date: August 3rd, 2016, the day when the USWNT will begin Olympic tournament group play against New Zealand.
Rapinoe says she feels confident in mind and body. However, such is the competition for places on the greatest women’s team in the world, that the attacker with 113 caps, 31 goals and 40 assists to her name might not even make the squad.
At 31 years of age, this could be the final opportunity for Rapinoe to represent the USA on the Olympic stage. While she was able to win gold with the team at the 2012 London Olympics, the spark she provided the USWNT at the 2015 World Cup would be sorely missed in Rio.
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