Sad news....

Looks like our worst fears have been realized in Rachael's injury... After her working so hard to recover and come back, this turn of events really is not the way anyone would want to see such a good, classy player finish her Pilot career.....


Oregonian release

That's too Bad. I heard an announcement on the Canzano show jus a while ago while I was riding home.

Too bad, It would have been really nice to have the twins get a season together.

That is so sad, I really feel for both Rachel and Megan, They have both had such a hard path through their Pilot Careers. Its a shame that this story breaks in the oregonian before the schools own athletics website.

What incredibly bad luck. Both sisters had really earned the right to be healthy and compete on the same field together.

My heart breaks for Rachel and for her family. I take some solace in her comments that she was looking forward to doing other things than soccer after college. I know that whatever direction she travels in life, those who come into contact with her will be better for it.

Meanwhile I hope she is able to stay with the team as they most assuradly could use her leadership and personality.

Damnit.

I am completely heartbroken at the news. I was greatly anticipating seeing the Pilots for the first time with both Rapinoes later this month. I will cheer just as loudly, but the entire season, no matter how wonderful, will seem bittersweet.

Certainly, this is not the idea the Rapinoes had for themselves. Hopefully they can take a short emotional break and create equally great and new ideas for themselves and the team both together and as individuals.

What rotten news.

Sigh.... I hate posting bad news.... Next time I need to make sure its something better....

My sister blew out ACLs in both her knees in high school, also ending her soccer carreer. I remember her heartbreak and disappointment; but, I also remember her tenacity, courage, and strength as she changed her goals and met new challenges. Though I don't know her, I expect no less from Rachel Rapino. She showed those same traits on the pitch day in and day out. I wish her the best of luck!

-SciFi

aleppiek wrote:Its a shame that this story breaks in the oregonian before the schools own athletics website.

I know it may seem weird that UP didn't put up a release about that, but actually that's pretty much common practice. 1) the school has to be very careful with HIPPA laws and 2) official athletic websites tend to not do individual releases for "bad" stuff - injuries, arrests, players flunking out, etc. By having it come out in the Oregonian, UP did what was necessary - getting the news out. It's unlikely that they will put out an individual release about it. Also, you've got to remember that it could have been a request by Rachael, or Garrett, or Larry to not put it out too.

Good points Stonehouse. Herzog did say in his release that it came from a UP spokesperson... so perhaps the school did do it intentionally that way.

Yeah... I forgot to mention that UP did send out a press release about it as well, they just didn't put it up on the website. Here it is cut/pasted:

Rachael Rapinoe Suffers Season-Ending Knee Injury

PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland senior forward Rachael Rapinoe suffered a season-ending knee injury for the second year in a row, re-tearing the ACL in her left knee. Rapinoe suffered the original injury last September, four games into her junior campaign.
Rapinoe, a native of Redding, Calif., appeared in all three games this season, scoring a goal against Oregon. She re-injured her knee during the first half of UP’s game against USC on Monday.

Coming off a 1-0 win in overtime over the top-ranked Trojans, the Pilots next travel to Seattle, Wash., for the Husky/Nike Invitational this weekend. No. 7 Portland is scheduled to play Kennesaw State on Friday at 4:30 p.m. before facing Colgate at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday.

This is really a bummer for all concerned.

I think a very loud "Rachel" cheer will be due before the Northern Arizona game on 9/12.

This is 6 ACLs in three years.

2 x Becca Meierbachtol
2 x Megan
2 x Rachael

Way too many.

Great girls, all.

So sorry.

You have to wonder if the coaches will try and incorporate knee strength training into off season workouts... I mean I know females are more susceptible to such injuries, and freak accidents do occur, but as hrzag said... 6 in 3 years...

I think the next home game the fans seriously need to show Rachael some love, she definitely deserves it after dedicating so much blood, sweat and tears to the program...

I'm shocked! I wanted to see Rachael and Megan for the first time @Penn State. Pilots fans out in the PA area don't get the opportunity to see them live in person often.

My daughter and I have watched Rapinoes go down twice with ACL injuries, and it's such a tough thing to see. It just sucks the air out of one's lungs and casts a pall over the game. That's the involved fan's reaction. What it feels like for the player is beyond words and presumptuous for me to guess at.

A young girl at the USC game had a great cheer: as the game wore on, she was shouting, "Score a goal for Rachael!" If the Pilots need a rallying cry, there it is.