Megan Rapinoe literally, figuratively flexes on Orlando Pride in 2-1 win for OL Reign

NWSL Celebration of the Year race is something special

Few players know how to seize a moment quite like Megan Rapinoe.

Two minutes into stoppage time, the U.S. women’s national team veteran struck a dramatic game-winner for OL Reign, who came back to pick up a valuable 2-1 road win over the Orlando Pride Friday night. Rapinoe’s goal went with an assist on Bethany Balcer’s equalizer early in the second half.

It’s an important win, as the Reign are now just one point behind the three teams currently tied for the NWSL Shield lead (did we mention that the NWSL standings are wild right now?). But it’s also another entrant in the NWSL Celebration of the Year competition that is very real and is not merely a creation of Pro Soccer Wire.

The goal itself was not exactly classic Rapinoe. If anything, the “Pinoe” moment on the goal actually came from Sofia Huerta, who delivered an absolutely perfect cross to the back post that Rapinoe just barely beat Haley Hanson to, directing the ball past Erin McLeod to give the visitors a dramatic win.

The celly, though? Folks, that’s classic Pinoe, and it signals that the NWSL Celebration of the Year won’t be decided without significant say from one of the game’s great goal celebrators.

Rapinoe sprinted away and into space along the endline, removing, twirling and finally tossing her shirt. Most of her teammates finally caught up for the more traditional celebratory hugs, before Rapinoe managed to turn, find the camera for the broadcast, and nail a pose before tracking down her jersey.

Pinoe gave Orlando fans an extravagant bow before picking up her jersey, then turned to receive both a yellow card and instructions to leave the field from referee Elvis Osmanovic. Rapinoe was being substituted off, and Osmanovic apparently didn’t want Rapinoe to celebrate her way to midfield, instead directing her off the field by the Pride goal.

As a result, Rapinoe never actually got her jersey back on, and in fact was still wearing a sideline pinnie at full time, which in this site’s opinion counts as a sort of encore section of her celebration.

“Honestly, it’s just sort of an inside joke with the team,” Rapinoe, next to a laughing Balcer, told reporters after the game. “That’s really all I can say.”

Asked directly if she was trying to match Lo’eau LaBonta’s tremendous recent celebration, Rapinoe had a playful response.

“No. Was Lo’eau inspired by me? What do you mean?,” joked Rapinoe. “I’ve been doing this s— for like 12 years, I love celebrations.”

Rapinoe’s entry into the NWSL Celebration of the Year competition comes hot on the tail of top-tier stuff from LaBonta and Trinity Rodman, and a more confusing but nonetheless notable effort from Morgan Weaver.

Watch Rapinoe score and celebrate like a legend

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