Megan Rapinoe out of USA Starting Lineup vs. England with Hamstring Injury
Megan Rapinoeย wasn't in the starting lineup for Team USA in the Women's World Cup semifinal against England on Tuesday.
The starting 11 released by head coach Jill Ellis featured Christen Press in the team, with Rapinoe on the bench. It was a mystery as to why she wasn't playing up until halftime, when Fox Sports' Rob Stone reported Rapinoe had a hamstring injury.
Dan Wetzelย of Yahoo Sports reported Rapinoe didn't participate in warmups, which could "suggest she won't play at all today."
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Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl said Ellis' choice to go with Press over Rapinoe could also have been a tactical one to get "more speed/defensive cover" because "England's right-sided attack with Lucy Bronze and Nikita Parris is the biggest U.S. concern."
Ellis hasn't hesitated to make key lineup changes if she thinks it will help Team USA. Sam Mewis took Lindsay Horan's spot in the starting lineup in the quarterfinals against France. Horan didn't get in the game until the second half.
Rapinoe is coming off a memorable week at the World Cup. The 33-year-old scored all four goals for the American squad in the knockout-stage matches against Spain and France.
