Dec 9, 2019

Megan Rapinoe named Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year

Jacob Knutson

Megan Rapinoe in a match against Mexico on May 26. Photo: Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images

Sports Illustrated on Monday named soccer star Megan Rapinoe as its 2019 Sportsperson of the Year for her part in the United States' World Cup win and for "being a vocal activist for equality."

The big picture: Rapinoe, now the fourth woman to win the award unaccompanied, became a household name after her breakout performance in the World Cup. She also gained significant media attention after President Trump criticized her for refusing to visit the White House if the U.S. won the tournament.

  • After scoring a goal in the World Cup quarterfinal against France, Rapinoe struck a pose with her arms outstretched, leading to what quickly became one of the most viral photos and moments of the cup run.

Off the pitch, Rapinoe and her teammates have been celebrated as activists for the equal pay movement with their lawsuit against U.S. Soccer for gender discrimination.

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Fadel Allassan

Soccer star Megan Rapinoe endorses Elizabeth Warren

Photos: Marla Aufmuth/Getty Images for Massachusetts Conference for Women 2019; Scott Olson/Getty Images

U.S. women's national soccer team player Megan Rapinoe formally endorsed Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) for president in a tweet on Friday.

What they're saying: Rapinoe posted a video of a call with Warren in which she told the 2020 candidate she doesn't think the country can get to a better place "by walking this moderate line."

Go deeperArrowDec 13, 2019
Kendall Baker

Stanford wins women's soccer title

Photo: Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

After 90 minutes of regulation and two overtime periods went scoreless, Stanford beat North Carolina on penalty kicks (5-4) to win the D-I Women's Soccer National Championship yesterday, the program's second title in three years.

Highlight: Kiara Pickett tucked the ball into the lower left corner for the game-winning penalty kick. What a moment.

Go deeperArrowDec 9, 2019
Fadel Allassan

Time highlights impeachment witnesses, U.S. women's soccer team in annual issue

Former White House official Fiona Hill. Photo: Michael Brochstein/Echoes Wire/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

In addition to selecting teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg as Person of the Year, Time magazine recognized the U.S. women's national soccer team as Athlete of the Year, Disney CEO Bob Iger as Businessperson of the Year, public servants as Guardians of the Year, and musician Lizzo as Entertainer of the Year.

The big picture: The recognitions are granted each year to the people, groups or ideas that go the furthest in shaping the year's events. It is "the opportunity to look at the year through the prism of the people who shaped it," Time writes.

Go deeperArrowDec 11, 2019