Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

SPORTS/RECREATION Megan Rapinoe: Star power
by Ross Forman
2009-06-17

This article shared 16108 times since Wed Jun 17, 2009
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


Don't fret over the miserable May endured by the Chicago Red Stars. The team is still a true contender in the new Women's Professional Soccer ( WPS ) League, said forward Megan Rapinoe.

The team lost all three games it played in May, and was shut out in each, too.

I think it was unfortunate," Rapinoe said. "I don't think we played terrible; it's not like we were getting run over by teams. Some of the games could have gone the other way.

"I think it's still pretty early in the season to dwell on [ an 0-3 record in May ] ."

All three May games were home matches, played at Toyota Park in Bridgeview. Five of the team's six games in June are on the road. The Red Stars play host to the Boston Breakers on Sunday, June 21.

Rapinoe ( pronounced rah-PEE-no ) , has one of the team's seven goals as of this article's writing, and is second on the team with 16 shots.

"I've been playing well this season," she said. "It's an adjustment playing for a new coach, with new teammates. But I'm feeling more comfortable and more confident.

"I feel good about the team going forward. I think we realize that we've been in games; it's not like we're getting blown out. I think we've been unlucky to not have scored in some games, but I still think we're very confident. I still think we have one of the best teams in the league, at least on paper. It's taken a little longer than we had hoped for our on-field chemistry to gel. I think we have an unbelievable group."

Rapinoe, 23, was selected by the Red Stars in the first round of the WPS general draft ( second overall ) . She has been a member of the U.S. Women's National Team since 2006. She scored game-winning goal in 2009 Algarve Cup semifinal win over Norway and had the assist on the lone U.S. goal in the final.

"I play hard; I think I'm exciting to watch; I play with a lot of passion; I put it all out there," she said. "I like to play as hard, and as beautifully, as possible. Hopefully I can score a few [ more ] goals and get the fans excited.

"I think one of my biggest attributes is something I enjoy doing: going at players. I like to get the ball at my feet, dribble at players. I know I then can pass or go around a defender. And I think that one-on-one battle is exciting for the fans to watch.

A native of Redding, Calif., Rapinoe played at the University of Portland, where she was named West Coast Conference Player of the Year as a senior in 2008. She started all 22 games her senior year, scoring five goals and adding 13 assists.

"I didn't have too many expectations going into the season because I had no idea what the team or the league was going to be like, but it's really been good," she said. "Even though we haven't had the start that we want to, but being a pro, in that environment, is so much fun; it's been great. Chicago is an absolutely wonderful city."

So what do you like about Chicago?

Everything, she said without hesitation. The food, the people, the night life, the positive energy, shopping, parks, the music scene, museums, etc.

But Rapinoe is not a fan of the wind off Lake Michigan.

Away from soccer, Rapinoe enjoys playing the guitar and recently purchased a keyboard, although she doesn't know how to play it. She enjoys eople-watching and relaxing with the girls as well.

Rapinoe is among the most popular Red Stars among the lesbian community, and she's happy about that.

"I think that's a good thing," she said. "I think we need to bring people of all different walks of life into the game. I definitely think there's a place within the Red Stars organization for everyone.

"I want to make people feel like, when they go watch [ the ] team, that there is someone that there's someone like them on the team, and that we're not all the same on the team, that there is diversity. I think that's a good thing for the sport and our team in general."

Rapinoe is convinced the Red Stars and the league as a whole are open to diversity.

"Undeniably, there are lesbians in the league, with all of the different clubs, though I have not seen a lot [ of them ] ; gays and lesbians are everywhere in our society," Rapinoe said. "I know that our team has reached out to the gay and lesbian community, and I think that's important. I think there's a pretty good potential for a good fan base within that community."

Windy City Times is one of the sponsors of the Red Stars, and Rapinoe said the cross-promotion "is a great thing." Throughout the season, Windy City Media Group is doing promotions for the games and will be doing a special benefit for Lesbian Community Care Project at one home game.

The Red Stars play their final regular-season home game against Los Angeles Aug. 2. The WPS finals will be played Aug. 22. And then Rapinoe will return to Portland, Ore., she said.

"It's just a bit too cold to be in Chicago in the winter; you can't train in that weather," Rapinoe said, laughing.


This article shared 16108 times since Wed Jun 17, 2009
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

Four Chicago Red Stars receive international call-ups 2024-03-28
- CHICAGO (March 28, 2024) — Chicago Red Stars Nádia Gomes, Natalia Kuikka, Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Swanson have been tabbed to represent their countries during the April international window. Forwards Gomes and Swanson are set to ...


Gay News

2024 'Nike Basketball Camps with the Chicago Sky' announced 2024-03-28
- The Chicago Sky officially announced, in a debut collaboration with Nike Sports Camps, 2024 summer basketball camps for Chicagoland youth. Two camps for boys and girls ages 7-15 will take place June 17-21 and July 8-12 ...


Gay News

Be here, be queer, play polo: Gay Polo League creates safe athletic space for LGBTQ community 2024-03-26
- LGBTQ+ athletic clubs aren't too hard to come by, offering a variety of sports such as softball, soccer and more in cities across the country. But LGBTQ+ athletes would be harder pressed to find someplace to ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars stay undefeated 2024-03-24
- Chicago Red Stars stay undefeated On March 23, the Chicago Red Stars took down the Seattle Reign FC 2-1 in the club's home opener at SeatGeek Stadium. With the win, the Red Stars are now 2-0-0 ...


Gay News

ACTIVITIES Pickleball, fine eats and fun are all at SPF 2024-03-21
- Despite the fact that it was invented in 1965, pickleball has only really entered the national consciousness within the last few years. However, there really hadn't been a large indoor dedicated space in Chicago for the ...


Gay News

2024 OLYMPICS U.S. women's soccer team's opponents set 2024-03-20
- The United States women's national soccer team will face Australia, Germany, and either Morocco or Zambia in Group B at the 2024 Paris Olympics, ESPN reported. The tournament will mark the Americans' first competitive games with ...


Gay News

Alyssa Naeher wins National Women's Soccer League Impact Save of the Week 2024-03-20
--From a press release - CHICAGO (March 20, 2024) — Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher earned National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Deloitte Impact Save of the Week honors, the league announced today. Seven minutes into the eight minutes of added ...


Gay News

Red Stars start season with 2-0 win 2024-03-17
- On March 16, the Chicago Red Stars kicked off their 2024 campaign with a 2-0 road win over Utah Royals FC in the Royals' inaugural match back in the National Women's Soccer League. Ally Schlegel and ...


Gay News

College athletes sue NCAA over transgender policies 2024-03-15
- Former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines was among a group of college athletes who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA on March 14, accusing it of violating their Title IX rights by allowing trans swimmer Lia Thomas ...


Gay News

SPORTS Red Stars prepare to kick off NWSL season against Utah Royals 2024-03-15
- It's been a busy winter for the Red Stars, and it's time to put their work to the test. Following a last place finish in the 2023 NWSL season, Chicago has had an active offseason transforming ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars release 2024 roster 2024-03-13
- CHICAGO (March 13, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars announced today their final roster ahead of the 2024 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season. The club's roster is bolstered by an array of experience brought not ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars release midfielder Jill Aguilera 2024-03-12
--From a press release - CHICAGO (March 11, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars today announced the release of midfielder, Jill Aguilera. "I want to thank Jill for her time with the Red Stars," said general manager, Richard Feuz. "Over her ...


Gay News

Trans golfer banned from competing 2024-03-08
- Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson spoke out on Instagram after the NXXT Women's Pro Tour suddenly announced on March 8 (International Women's Day) that participants must be "a biological female at birth" in order to compete—banning D ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars sign midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth 2024-03-06
Press release - CHICAGO (March 6, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars announced the signing of draftee and midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth. Nesbeth, Chicago's first-round and tenth overall draft pick in the 2024 National ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars announce partnership with Wintrust 2024-02-27
Press release - CHICAGO (Feb. 27, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars and Wintrust Financial Corporation announced a partnership that will see Wintrust become the club's new front-of-jersey partner and community outreach investment ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS






Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.