Seattle Reign fans are grappling with mixed emotions as the team announced the acquisition of midfielder Jaelin Howell, along with $50,000 in allocation money from Racing Louisville FC. The celebration of this promising addition was tempered by the heartbreaking news of star forward Bethany Balcer’s departure in the opposite direction. The shockwaves of this trade are resonating across the fanbase, and Megan Rapinoe is feeling it deeply, too, admitting it’s ‘hard to even imagine’ her former teammate leaving.
Shortly after the Reign made the announcement, Balcer took to Instagram to share a poignant farewell with her 19.8K followers. In a carousel post that struck a chord with fans, she reminisced about her time with the club. Rapinoe, unable to stay silent, reshared the post on her own Instagram story, pouring her heart out with a lengthy caption. She wrote, “This is so hard to even imagine. Boats, it was a god dang pleasure to boot balls at your head for so many years. Laughs, cries, jokes, wins, eviscerating referees with you is the true meaning of life. Love you always .”
Rapinoe’s connection with Balcer goes beyond the pitch. Their bond, forged through countless victories and unforgettable moments, is one of the most cherished of Rapinoe’s time at Seattle Reign. Though the USWNT legend has long since hung up her boots, Balcer’s departure stirs up a flood of emotions, reminding Rapinoe of the golden days they shared.
Balcer’s Instagram post wasn’t just a goodbye-it was a reflection of her journey with the Reign. “If only there were adequate words to express what my time in Seattle has meant to me,” she wrote. The Michigan native poured her heart out, acknowledging the friendships and memories she made, expressing gratitude for the club that helped her grow, and leaving fans with a sense of deep loss.
Bethany Balcer’s emotional farewell and cryptic message leave Reign fans in shock
In her farewell, the 27-year-old forward didn’t hold back her feelings. She admitted that leaving the Reign is a heartbreak but cherished the memories that ‘will last a lifetime.’ Her message to the ardent supporters of Seattle was full of love, “I’ll always be your Boats, BB8, or just Beth.”
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Balcer wrapped up her emotional post with a nod to the fun times and the quirky moments that made her tenure special. “To all the laughs, rondos, questions of the day, running into poles, drawing lines of offsides and goals-there’s not a group I would have rather done it all with. With lots of love and gratitude, Boats .” Fans, no doubt, were moved by her words, but the cryptic nature of her message left many scratching their heads.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Balcer took to X with a cryptic tweet that left fans buzzing. “People will write the narrative they want to write, but the truth will always come to light,” she wrote, sparking speculation about the true nature of her departure. Was this a subtle jab at the Reign? The tone of the tweet contrasted sharply with the tearful farewell on Instagram, leaving many to wonder what really went down behind the scenes.
Despite the shock and the speculation, one thing is clear-Bethany Balcer’s impact on Seattle Reign will not be forgotten. While Reign’s general manager, Lesle Gallimore, extended heartfelt thanks to the departing star, acknowledging her lasting legacy, the team and its fans must now look to the future with Jaelin Howell. Yet, no matter where Balcer goes, Seattle will always hold a piece of her heart.
