USWNT's Emeri Adames surprises Megan Rapinoe with unforgettable farewell tribute

Megan Rapinoe's farewell from Seattle Reign was always going to be an emotional, respectful affair with a hint of unpredictability. A match against North Carolina Courage had everyone tuned in to see what was about to go down with the legendary soccer icon. Then, in the 97th minute, an 18-year-old by the name of Emeri Adames took all the attention. Her header wasn't just game-winning but a realization of a personal dream, closing out Rapinoe's farewell in truly epic fashion. But what does this moment mean for women's soccer and, more importantly, the future of the NWSL?

The Promise of a Bright Career

Seattle Reign and U.S. U-20 Women's National Team forward Emeri Adames entered the league at age 18 through the NWSL's U-18 entry mechanism. She quickly showed her talent but had always harbored a deep admiration for Rapinoe, one of the most iconic figures in women's soccer. When finding out she would be playing in Rapinoe's retirement match, Adames hatched an audacious plan: to score a goal and then celebrate with the famous arms-out pose Rapinoe immortalized during the 2019 World Cup.

"I knew if I got the chance, I'd do the pose. It was the perfect way to honor everything she means to me and to soccer," he said.

When Adames came on in the final minutes and scored the game-winner, not only was she fulfilling her plan, but she had come to embody a passing of the torch in women's soccer. Quite the gesture of respect-the legend who so deeply inspired her career deserved nothing less.

The Importance of a Goal

At first glance, Adames' goal is any other score from a rising star. The meaning runs so much deeper upon closer inspection. A swan song for women's soccer, Rapinoe represented an era of fighting for equality and incredible accomplishments on and off the pitch. In mimicking Rapinoe's pose, Adames did more than pay homage; she reconfirmed Rapinoe's lasting impact on the sport while simultaneously saying, "The next in line is ready to take on the legacy.".

Celebration? Just like advertised. "When I saw the ball hit the net, it was one of those moments where your body just reacts. The emotions were overwhelming, and I knew I had to do the pose. It was instinctive," Adames said.

Adames' Bold Career Choice

Emeri Adames could have done the traditional route, gone to college soccer. Instead, she turned pro early. Bold move that was, but the courage of her vision thus shone through. For Adames, signing with Seattle Reign was all about being thrown into an atmosphere that could speed up the growth technically and mentally.

There is little doubt that Adames was one of those players who benefited most from the professional environment of the NWSL. Training alongside experienced players, living the reality of a professional club at such a young age-it helped speed up her development. Her goal in Rapinoe's farewell game was, in many ways, the culmination of that accelerated growth.

A Connection Between Generations

This was more than a game-winner; it was a symbolic baton pass between generations. "I could feel it: I saw the armband, and that really got me, caught me off guard," Rapinoe acknowledged. Immediately after the game, the youngster received an unexpected message. "I was on the phone with my mom, and suddenly I got a text from an unknown number. It took me a few seconds, then I realized: it was Rapinoe!" Adames recounted, still excited.

It went something like: "OMG. It's Pinoe. WOW! What a f*****g goal, my dear!!! And oh, you made me cry. Congrats and thank you! Incredible." Recognition that few young athletes ever get. "She thanked me for doing the pose and said the moment was perfect. I was speechless," Adames shared, still disbelieving what had just transpired.

The Impact on the NWSL and Women's Soccer

Adames' goal and Rapinoe's farewell were otherworldly moments of a soccer game, but both became a landmark moment for the future of women's soccer. The NWSL has enjoyed some very hefty growth in recent years, but it survives on these stories to keep the momentum going and interest levels high, including newer audiences. The league doesn't just need talented athletes; it needs inspiring narratives of the sport and its cultural impact.

At an age of only 18, Emeri Adames is already setting herself up to join the ranks of such influential players. That goal in Rapinoe's send-off was magic for the fans in the stadium but a harbinger that the next generation is ready for center stage.

This moment is one of the biggest in my career so far, but I know it's just the beginning," Adames revealed. She knows full well the women's soccer game changes, grows, and gets stronger with each passing day, and she wants to be part of that growth. "Rapinoe opened a lot of doors for us. Now it's our responsibility to keep the work going."

Adames' Bright Future

With her great performance and visibility for scoring the game-winner in such a special moment, Adames' future in the NWSL looks incredibly bright. She has already shown that she can compete at the highest level, and on-field maturity suggests she is only getting started.

With the U-20 Women's World Cup around the corner, Adames is finally going to get her opportunity on an even bigger stage. Her time in the NWSL surely prepared her for what will come next, and at the rate she is developing, it would be no surprise when one day she is donning the senior U.S. Women's National Team jersey, possibly as a prominent leader much like her idol Rapinoe.