In Megan Rapinoe’s final home game of the NWSL regular season, the OL Reign and Washington Spirit finished in a 0-0 tie. Here’s what you need to know:

Lumen Field hosted 34,130 fans, a new attendance record in the NWSL. Claudia Dickey kept her clean sheet and produced the best save of the night to save Trinity Rodman’s spirited effort from close range on the break. The State now sits at 8-8-5, while the Spirit hold a 7-5-9 record.

34,130 👀

There’s a new attendance record in the #NWSL pic.twitter.com/aZGIRb9NFD

— The Athletic (@The Athletic) October 7, 2023

How did you respect Rapinoe?

An extended period was held before the game and another was planned for after the game, but in a 0-0 draw on Friday night, there wasn’t much in terms of possession or spirit. Friday night’s other matchup helped both teams a bit, with Racing Louisville FC coming from behind to knock the Orlando Pride out of the top six, but both teams struggled a bit with their performances.

In better news, the OL Reign set a new attendance record with some help from Rapinoe’s celebration and some perfect fall weather in the Pacific Northwest. Being at Lumen Field when they failed to break 10,000, the intensity felt different Friday night, especially as Reigns got a few looks at the goal late in the game.

It’s impossible to forget that this team is in transition, not only because of Rapinoe’s departure, but because it has been in the market for new ownership for months. A presence sign like this may not sway the purchase price, but it’s much needed to build a more sustainable audience in Seattle. – Meg Lennon, Women’s Soccer Editor

What are they saying?

“I know I’m a very popular person and an important person in this game,” Rapinoe said after Friday’s match. “I’m not trying to minimize that or play it too soft. I know my influence. It’s one thing to know it and it’s one thing to see it and feel it and see the signs, see the pink wigs and see what that means to people. It’s hard to put that kind of gratitude and joy and gratitude into work just because you were able to spend a moment like this. I think that’s kind of the hardest part. “

Rapinoe’s teammate Lauren Barnes talked about how much of an impact Rapinoe had not only on the team, but on the city of Seattle.

“The positive impact she has had on the city is undeniable,” Barnes said. We’ve been playing all year and we got 35 today. I mean this woman in particular. Our foundation is because of her. We built everything around her.

It is necessary to read

(Photo: Steven Bissig / USA Today)