The internet has reacted to the surprise omission of the Megan Rapinoe ahead of the semifinal showdown between USA and England in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. The striker, whose brace against France fired Jill Ellis' ladies to the last four stage, could not earn and spot in the starting lineup with the reason still unknown.
Rapinoe, who is currently the joint-top scorer in the tournament with five goals, did not participate in the pre-game warm-up. However, she was named on the substitute bench with Alex Morgan taking over as skipper for Tuesday's encounter.
It is somewhat believed that the decision might have been for tactical reason as there were no prior report of the 33-year-old attacker picking up an injury. In her place, Christen Press was started as her ability to track back and defend could come in handy against England's full back Lucy Bronze who often makes surging attacking runs.
Rapinoe is not on the field warming up for match against England
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 2, 2019
(Via @alywagner)pic.twitter.com/oFPme9zqjo
Nonetheless, the US Soccer Federation is yet to give a reason regarding Rapinoe's omission although fans are not having any of the development.
Meanwhile, England also made a bold statement of their own but for precautionary reasons. The Lioness England replaced goalkeeper Karen Bardsley with Carly Telford as the latter apparently picked up a hamstring injury.
Rapinoe didn't participate in the warm-up, which would suggest that she's unlikely to play at all in this game. Seems odd that US Soccer wouldn't specify if she has an injury—it did so for Ertz/Sauerbrunn earlier in the WC—and would only say it isn't for disciplinary reasons.
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) July 2, 2019
"I am rattled by Jill Ellis not starting Megan Rapinoe." - @HeatherOReilly is all of us right now pic.twitter.com/mgPJKcpEKO
— FOX Sports PR (@FOXSportsPR) July 2, 2019
me seeing the @USWNT starting lineup without rapinoe pic.twitter.com/hsNBLQnyAo
— Nick Corasaniti (@NYTnickc) July 2, 2019
Doubling down on our women - USA 3-1 - @mPinoe out of the line up but I don't see this as a negative and probably a smart move in the long run - seriously experience on the bench able to come in and finish it off- Go USA - we got this
— Eric Wynalda (@EricWynalda) July 2, 2019
Knockout stage goals at #FIFAWWC:
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 2, 2019
—Megan Rapinoe: 4
—Other #USA players: 0
Benched. pic.twitter.com/0TWgWPjB7k
14 - Since her debut at the Women's World Cup in 2011, USA's Megan Rapinoe has been involved in more goals at the tournament than any other player (14 – 8 goals, 6 assists). Benched. #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/yszV8P405e
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 2, 2019
So You're Wondering Why Megan Rapinoe Isn't Starting For The USWNT:
— Kim McCauley (@lgbtqfc) July 2, 2019
As good as Pinoe is, she doesn't contribute a lot defensively. Christen Press is the fastest and fittest player on the USWNT. England RB Lucy Bronze has been the best player at this tournament. So, that's why.