U.S. women’s soccer is on the verge of exiting the Women’s World Cup as they prepare for a pivotal match against Portugal. A stunning defeat could send the team home after tallying just one win and two draws.
There are high expectations for the U.S. women’s team, who are the defending champs. They have won four of eight World Cup finals and have never finished worse than third. So far, in the 2023 World Cup, the team’s only victory is over Vietnam.
Unfortunately, critics say the team has a history of controversial behavior during the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner.” Many members of the team have kneeled in the past prior to their match.
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THE NATIONAL ANTHEM PLAYS AT THE 2023 FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP FOR THE FIRST TIME 🙌 pic.twitter.com/czqIXr5zBT
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 22, 2023
Before their opening 2023 FIFA match, the entire team passionately sang Vietnam’s national anthem called “Song of a Marching Army. All eleven athletes sang in unison with their right hands proudly held over their hearts.
In stark contrast, the team remained silent during the playing of the U.S. National Anthem. Six of the 11 American soccer players refused to place their right hand on their hearts during the “Star Spangled Banner.”
“Out of 51 matches they’ve played in the World Cup, they’ve won 41 vs. four losses and six draws,” the report found. “Their last draw was during the 2015 Women’s World Cup, when they finished 0-0 against Sweden during the group stage.”
WATCH: Megan Rapinoe Talks About Being First White Athlete To Kneel In Colin Kaepernick's Example https://t.co/KNtLlNkwat pic.twitter.com/F0ygFPCsU6
— Forbes (@Forbes) May 21, 2021
It’s become popular in recent years for professional athletes to use their sport as a backdrop while displaying their contempt for America and promoting left-wing social activism.
Only five players placed their hands over their hearts as the U.S. National Anthem played in the stadium. Three players appeared to silently mouth the words of the “Star Spangled Banner,” which includes Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher and Lindsey Horan.
In 2019, U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe made headlines for saying she’ll “probably never sing the national anthem again.”
Rapinoe previously said that she would “never put my hand over my heart” during the playing of the national anthem.
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FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, VIETNAM'S NATIONAL ANTHEM IS PLAYED AT THE FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP! 🇻🇳 pic.twitter.com/gflhypkC0r
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 22, 2023
Rapinoe took a knee during the National Anthem in solidarity with former NFL player Colin Kaepernick’s protest against America.
Many Americans believe kneeling during the National Anthem is disrespectful to the flag and to members of the U.S. military who have sacrificed to secure our liberty and rights.
Rapinoe announced her retirement from professional soccer. In 2021, every player but one member of the American women’s soccer team kneeled as the “Star Spangled Banner” played.
