Lesbian soccer icon Megan Rapinoe received a triumphant send-off in her last international match, and the United States beat South Africa 2-0 at Chicago's Soldier Field on Sept. 24, per ABC News.
Trinity Rodman and Emily Sonnett scored for Team USA.
Rapinoe was presented a framed jersey representing her 203 games with the United States, and she raised her arms as the crowd roared before the victory. "I know that I am a liked player," she said. "And I know that I mean a lot to the game. But to have this night come and to actually feel it and see itfrom my teammates, from our staff and certainly from the fans, who have been such a huge part of our success on and off the field, reallyit was very special."
U.S. Soccer noted that Rapinoe is the 14th American to reach 200 games played for her country. She finished with 63 career goals for the U.S. women's national team, ranking her in the top 10 in U.S. history.
In July, Rapinoe announced that she was retiring after an illustrious career that included a pair of World Cup championships as well as gold and bronze medals in the Olympics.
She will continue to be an activist, having fought (and still fighting) for social-justice issues.
Rapinoe is engaged to now-retired WNBA superstar Sue Bird.
Andrew Davis