The US Women’s soccer team is facing a lot of criticism for remaining silent during the national anthem ahead of their FIFA world cup fixture against Vietnam. A video of USWNT players not singing the anthem has gone viral on the internet which has infuriated a few American fans.
US Women’s Soccer Team Sparks Outrage For Not Singing National Anthem
The USWNT played the FIFA World Cup opener match against Vietnam on July 22, 2023. While the USA won 3-0 against Vietnam, instead of celebrations and congratulations, the US team received a series of angry tweets from fans online for not singing the national anthem.
Before the match kick-off, each country had their national anthem played and as the camera panned through the US women’s soccer team, many players were seen standing still and not singing the anthem. On the other hand, the Vietnamese women’s soccer team were loud and proud while their national anthem was played.
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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
In 2019, American soccer player, Megan Rapinoe told Yahoo Sports that she would never sing the national anthem as her form of protest against criminal injustice, the pay gap, and equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community.
“I’ll probably never put my hand over my heart. I’ll probably never sing the national anthem again.”
“It would take criminal justice reform. It would take the huge inequality gap that we have to be much better. It would take a lot of progress in LGBTQ rights. We just have such a disparity in this country in so many different ways, inequality in so many different ways.”
While Rapinoe stands by her statements, the fans have taken offence to the silence of the US Women’s soccer team during the national anthem at the world cup. Many American fans started to root against the US Women’s soccer team as their form of protest. Here’s how Twitter reacted-
As an American… I hope the U.S. women’s soccer team gets beat by every other national team they play! The U.S. women’s soccer team IS A DISGRACE!
— Beedblu (@beedblu) July 22, 2023
Most of the U.S. Women’s soccer players refused to sing our great national anthem.
What. A. Disgrace. pic.twitter.com/G8CJc22BMJ
— 3sidedstory 🇺🇲 (@3sidedstory) July 22, 2023
Thank you to the players who were respectful of America! 🇺🇸❤️
To those who weren't: go find another country to play for or get out of the sport. 😡
Time for the U.S. women's soccer team to have their #BudLight moment. Time for sponsors to stop funding them & pull out.
— Lisa Raymond (@LisaRaymondAZ) July 22, 2023
What is wrong with most of these women? Why represent your country if you hate it?
— JAC (@CarpJeff) July 22, 2023
However, there were some fans who did not find not singing the national anthem to be a political or problematic statement by the US Women’s soccer team.
You don’t have to sing the national anthem to play for either the USWNT or USMNT.
Hilarious to see certain people being outraged about it. https://t.co/4dlm45Gaqg
— Anthony (@anthonykyaw) July 22, 2023
People who think all athletes sing the anthem every time it plays pre game never played a high level sport where you sit through anthem every game.
Some people sing… most honestly don’t. It’s all good. No one is more or less American for doing either. 🙄 https://t.co/7xKKXn5j05
— USMNT_STAN (@StanUsmnt) July 22, 2023
The US women’s soccer team will next face the Netherlands on July 27, 2023.
