Honestly, I feel like we are a walking protest. The fact that we're women professional athletes says that in and of itself. We've been feeling the inequality; we've been struggling with pay equality or whatever it is, or sexism in sports.

Megan Rapinoe

Categorized in : Feel Sports Women Equality

I know this sounds weird, but getting hurt was one of the best things that ever happened to me. It really gave me a different perspective. Before, everything was going how it was supposed to be and I wasn't really appreciative of what I was doing and what it took to be there. The injury grounded me in a lot of different ways. The rehab process makes you stronger on all fronts, mentally and physically. I feel stronger and a better person for it. I would never wish it on anyone, but I don't wish I could take it back.

perspective hurt wish

I think it's kind of awkward when everyone knows you're gay but you don't say it. I had been thinking about coming out for almost a year before I did. I thought about it seriously on the plane ride home from the World Cup, while I was casually talking to my friend Lori Lindsey. She said, "Dude, you should just come out." She was right. Everyone in my life already knew. If you want to stand up and fight for equal rights but then won't even stand up for yourself and say "I'm gay" - that just started to feel weird.

gay fighting home

I guess [coming out publicly] seems like a weight off my shoulders. I’ve been playing a lot better than I’ve ever played before. I think I’m just enjoying myself and I’m happy.

coming-out weight thinking

I don't think anyone really ever wants to go to trial or to take this thing to that level. But obviously if we have to, we will, we're not willing to compromise on what we know is right and what we know we deserve and have already earned.

It's certainly not ideal and it will take attention away and energy and effort away from what our actual job is, which is to play, this team also is very good at multitasking and taking a lot on its plate at all times.

We all really enjoy going back to our respective club teams and having that rivalry with the other teams, i've been to two finals and I haven't won one yet so it's kind of on the bucket list.

I'm always open, I think the team is always open for a settlement, i don't think anyone really ever wants to go to trial or to take this thing to that level. But obviously if we have to, we will.

No. I'm not going to run, i'm, like, wildly unqualified to be run... by Megan Rapinoe

No. I'm not going to run, i'm, like, wildly unqualified to be running for office.

It's disgusting, to be honest. by Megan Rapinoe

It's disgusting, to be honest.

Make this world a better place, love more, hate less. by Megan Rapinoe

Make this world a better place, love more, hate less.

Love more, hate less, there has been so much contention in these... by Megan Rapinoe

Love more, hate less, there has been so much contention in these past few years.

I would not go and every teammate that I've talked to explicitly about World Cup `` Psssh would not go, i don't think anyone on the team has any interest in lending the platform that we've worked so hard to build, the things that we fight for and the way that we live our life.

It's like history. I don't know how to feel right now. It is ridiculous, we're crazy that's what makes us special. We just have no quit in us. We are so tight. We will do anything to win.

Our fans were amazing, they screamed their little hearts out. by Megan Rapinoe

Our fans were amazing, they screamed their little hearts out.

I'm not going to the f *** ing White House. by Megan Rapinoe

I'm not going to the f *** ing White House.

I'm not going to the f ***** g The White House, no. I'm not going to The White House. We're not gon na be invited. I doubt The White House.

I also love theUnited States of America. Ithink the U.S. Womensnational team is phenomenal.When they celebrate everygoal how much they wantthis, how important it is to themand how they work for thistheir entire lives andcareers.

I think that the huge media splash of the lawsuit is behind us and were obviously focused on the World Cup, but also its like this is our life, and there are a lot of things that we have to grapple and deal with: Family, friends, partners, media, pressures, games, World Cup, travel. So its just kind of just one more thing. This team always has a lot of media attention, and weve always had a lot of things on our plate so its not like its anything new, or all of a sudden were getting all the more attention. Its sort of the same for us.

For us it is really important to really look at the bigger picture of the compensation piece, i don't think you can talk about compensation articulately or intelligently until you have a conversation about funding across the board.

So whether that is youth teams or staffing for each team or promotion and sponsorship, you know, advertising for both teams, I don't think that that is equal yet, so yes we are fighting for equal compensation but we are also fighting for this larger picture of investment in both programs equally.