World Cup champs get Sports Illustrated Swimsuit showcase
These bodies are beyond beautiful. They are strong — and they belong to global champions.
The US Women’s National Team netted its second straight World Cup with Sunday’s 2-0 win over the Netherlands — and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition crew is paying homage to star players Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn and Abby Dahlkemper.
“Cheering for the #USWNT today and every day. Not just for what they represent on the field but what they represent for women. Period,” MJ Day, editor in chief of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, wrote on Instagram before the big win. “Fighting to win not only a soccer game but a lot of other pretty f—ing important stuff as well,” Day posted. “Keep kicking ass ladies.”
Day also shared a selection of images from the elite athletes’ recent SI.com/Swimsuit shoot.
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Co-captain Rapinoe — the top scorer and Golden Ball award winner for best player — exposes a whole other side of herself in the photos. But let’s not forget what’s truly important here: Rapinoe, 34, nailed what proved to be the winning score, her sixth goal of the tourney, and delivered a moving tribute to her “special” brother, a recovering addict.
“Like so many, I wanted this so badly for you all, for your team and for the world to see just what 22 women can do,” Day added.
“Win, yes, but use your power for good in ways that will affect all of us. We all fight this battle as women whether we realize it or not. And you all are on the front lines taking the hits for us. I’m so SO proud to know you all. I’m so proud to be connected to this group of 22 women who fought like hell and don’t give any Fs. I’m so proud to know the women who took on the WORLD and WON. CONGRATULATIONS!!!”
The supermodels who shared pages with the USWNT also joined in the outpouring of celebratory social media adoration.
“WE ROLL WITH WINNERS HERE BABY!!!!,” SI Swimsuit edition cover gal Camille Kostek, 27, posted on the mag’s official Insta account.
“I’m HONORED to be on the same pages as these incredible and talented women! USA BABYYYYYYY ??❤️??❤️,” fellow swimsuit model Raine Michaels, 19, chimed in.
Next up for the USWNT: an ongoing federal gender discrimination lawsuit seeking pay equal to that of their male counterparts. As The Post Editorial Board reported Sunday, “It’s now hard to see why the women don’t earn more: They’re not only markedly more successful, they also bring in more revenue.”
BTW: You don’t need to be into bikini layouts to cheer on these winners. Mayor Bill de Blasio invited America’s newest champions — and inspirations for countless young athletes — to a ticker-tape parade Wednesday, the city’s first such celebration since the one for the 2015 USWNT.
