Recap: United States 2 - 0 South Africa

U.S. picks up second-straight shutout over South Africa as Megan Rapinoe bids farewell to the international game.

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Soccer

Fans inside Soldier Field and abroad said their goodbyes to legend Megan Rapinoe on Sunday, as the USWNT versus South Africa international friendly marked her 203rd and final cap.

Interim Head Coach Twila Kilgore and the USWNT came into the match flying high as a brace from Lynn Williams and another goal from Trinity Rodman led to a 3-0 shutout victory in their last outing.

There were five changes to the starting lineup from Thursday’s match, as Casey Murphy started in goal. Crystal Dunn, Tierna Davidson, Naomi Girma, and Casey Kruger provided the defense, while Lindsey Horan, Andi Sullivan, and Emily Sonnett were in the midfield. Rapinoe wore the captain’s armband as she joined Alex Morgan and Trinity Rodman in the attack.

In the 18th minute, Morgan turned on the jets as he muscled her defender off the ball and gained possession. After driving down the right flank, Morgan whipped a cross centrally to Rodman who whistled the ball into the open net to notch her sixth international goal as the US took a 1-0 lead.

Rodman looked to make it a brace in the 32nd minute after a South Africa turnover led to her getting the ball yards outside the box. Rodman attempted to curl a ball to the top-left corner, but it didn’t spin enough as it just sailed wide left of the goalpost.

While it did not count as an assist, Megan Rapinoe's corner kick in the 49th minute led to the U.S. doubling their lead. South African goalkeeper Andile Diamini batted the cross away, but it fell right to Sonnett, who headed the ball into the net to give the US a 2-0 lead.

Rapinoe came close to notching a third U.S. goal in the 52nd minute as she rocketed a free kick from distance at the South Africa goal. Unfortunately, it didn’t dip in time, as it just sailed over the crossbar.

After 203 caps, 63 goals, 73 assists, and two World Cup titles, Rapinoe’s legendary USWNT career came to an end in the 53rd minute as Midge Purce came on to replace Rapinoe.

Chelsea midfielder Mia Fishel made her international debut in the 64th minute as Savannah DeMelo, Emily Fox, and herself came on for Morgan, Sonnett, and Dunn. The final U.S. change of the evening came in the 73rd minute when Lynn Williams came on for Kruger.

The United States returns to international action at the end of October as they host Columbia in back-to-back games on October 26th and 29th.