US women's soccer star Megan Rapinoe says her retirement will help USWNT’s focus at World Cup

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

The U.S. women's national team are the once again the reigning World Cup champions and will enter this year's tournament with the goal of defending their title.

The American women have dominated the sport's biggest tournament, winning the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup titles. On Saturday, Rapinoe revealed her plans to retire from professional soccer once the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League season comes to an end.

On Wednesday, Rapinoe suggested that the timing of her retirement will work to Team USA's benefit when the World Cup kicks off later this month. She noted that her decision to announce her plans to soon step away from the game put an end to potential in-tournment questions about her retirement.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Megan Rapinoe #15 of the United States is introduced during a post game ceremony after an international friendly against Wales at PayPal Park on July 09, 2023 in San Jose, California.  (Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

"Obviously I’m 38 years old, I’m not going to be playing forever and it just always feels weird for me to have something settled and feel at peace and to not answer a question honestly," Rapinoe said. "I kind of wanted to have that for myself."

Now that she does not have to worry about fielding questions about how much longer she will play, Rapinoe said the entire team can "focus a lot more."

US SOCCER STAR MEGAN RAPINOE WOULD SUPPORT TRANS ATHLETE ON USWNT ROSTER: 'I SEE TRANS WOMEN AS REAL WOMEN'

"I think it allows me to focus a lot more, allows the team to focus a lot more. We don’t have to get questions every time, every single game. It’s