Photo: Paul Rudderow
The Philadelphia Independence traded midfielder Megan Rapinoe to majicJack on Tuesday for an undisclosed amount of allocation money. Rapinoe joined Philadelphia in the off season after two seasons with the now defunct Chicago Red Stars. She is currently away in Germany with the US Women’s National Team, where she is expected to be a starter in the World Cup.
In four games with two starts this season, Rapinoe has scored one goal in 220 minutes of action. Deployed as a winger or outside midfielder on the national team, she has also played outside back for the Independence. Being away with the national team as well as trying to settle in with a new squad has led to Rapinoe not being a full 90 minute player with Philadelphia. And with other capable players such as Sinead Farrelly, Christina DiMartino, Joanna Lohman, and Lianne Sanderson all available, Rapinoe was seen as expendible.
As for the undisclosed fee. Coach Paul Riley mentioned after Saturday’s 6-0 victory over majicJack, “We’re going to go hunt one more player at the World Cup…There’s a couple of German players and Swedish players we’re looking at. Something to just give us that extra bit of depth as we get towards the playoffs.”
Spanish striker/midfielder Veronica Boquete just joined the team three weeks ago. And if she is any indication of the talent Philadelphia is looking to bring in, Independence fans should be very excited.
Making room for Farrelly had to be a big reason behind this move. Rapinoe is a good player and deserves time on the pitch. Where did Florida find the money to buy her when they already owe fines to the league?
I’m bummed Rapinoe is gone, she’s one of my favorite national team players, total quality. I’m with Adam: she must be gone because Riley is thinking of Farrelly as the future. With USMNT commitments, Rapinoe was barely with the squad and Riley never seemed certain of how to best use her when she was here.
I’m expecting a European replacement. As Paul Riley is a Brit he probably knows the players in Europe very well.