US soccer legend Megan Rapinoe made an extremely awkward return to her podcast on Thursday, a week after her shock split from longtime partner and co-host Sue Bird. The sporting power couple, who had been dating for nearly a decade, announced last Friday that their relationship is over in a bombshell joint statement on social media.
End of a Decade-Long Romance
Rapinoe, a two-time World Cup winner with the USA women's soccer team, and WNBA legend Bird insisted the decision was not an easy one after calling time on their 10-year romance. The sudden split also called into question the future of their popular podcast, 'A Touch More,' which they relaunched in 2024.
Rapinoe Goes Solo
Rapinoe appeared to answer those questions on Thursday afternoon as she made a solo return to the podcast she used to host with Bird. In truth, her comeback left some viewers cringing, as Rapinoe delivered the hour-long show on her own. At times, she was answering questions she asked herself. One particular moment saw Rapinoe say: 'It's now time for a touch more.' She then said: 'Megan, what do you have a touch more time for today?' Jokingly, she replied to herself: 'Oh, thanks for asking'.
While Rapinoe may have found humor in the situation, some viewers at home struggled to watch the former US soccer star on her own. Taking to X, one fan said 'it was SO weird' to watch Rapinoe present the show on her own.
Podcast Phasing Out
However, fans won't have to watch a solo Rapinoe for much longer, after they revealed that they would be phasing out their show. 'I hope you all know we put a lot of thought and care into this,' said Rapinoe, who rose to fame as a member of the Women's World Cup team in 2011, 2015 and 2019. 'It's a decision that we made together. We're still going to be there for all of you and for each other. It's just going to look and feel a little bit different.'
Bird explained that they plan to release six more limited episodes before closing that chapter of their lives as a 'farewell to you all and to this space.' Moving on from their collaboration, Rapinoe is planning to start her own podcast, and Bird is committed to a second season of her own venture, 'Bird's Eye View.'
The sporting power couple had been dating for nearly a decade after first meeting backstage at a photoshoot for the 2016 Rio Olympics. The athletes, both gold medal winners in their respective sports, got engaged in October 2020 but never tied the knot. Rapinoe, 40, first came out in 2012 ahead of representing the USWNT on the Olympic stage at the London Games. However, Bird, 45, was not publicly open about her sexuality until they went public with their relationship.
