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Megan Rapinoe scores brace as USWNT stars shine on NWSL Decision Day

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Megan Rapinoe celebrates after scoring a goal in OL Reign's regular-season finale on Oct. 15. (Daniel Bartel/USA TODAY Sports)

Megan Rapinoe scored a brace in OL Reign’s 3-0 win against the Chicago Red Stars to clinch a spot in the 2023 NWSL playoffs.

Rapinoe headlined a banner NWSL Decision Day for U.S. women’s national team stars. The 38-year-old forward is set to retire after the season, but with her pair of goals, she assured Sunday’s match would not be her last.

Alex Morgan and Jaedyn Shaw each scored in the San Diego Wave’s 2-0 win, which sealed the NWSL Shield and the No. 1 overall seed for the club.

From an experienced veteran in Morgan, 34, to a teen phenom in Shaw, 18, the Wave represent the best of multiple generations for the NWSL and the USWNT as they splash into the postseason.

Midge Purce notched a goal for Gotham FC in their 2-2 tie with the Kansas City Current. M.A. Vignola scored and Sydney Leroux connected on a bicycle kick for Angel City FC in their 5-1 win over the Portland Thorns.

Stars from other national teams shined as well. Japan’s Jun Endo scored Angel City, while Hina Sugita scored for the Portland Thorns. Brazil’s Marta provided the lone goal for the Orlando Pride in their 1-0 victory over the Houston Dash.

For USWNT forward Trinity Rodman, though, Decision Day ended in disappointment. The 21-year-old forward received a red card early in the Washington Spirit’s 1-0 loss to the North Carolina Courage, and the Spirit narrowly missed out on the playoffs.