Alexi Lalas appears to have taken a swipe at Megan Rapinoe on X after she called out American footballer Korbin Albert over an anti-LGBT TikTok post.
Albert apologized in a separate social media statement on Thursday after sharing a now-deleted post in which Albert came out of a Christian worship service and discussed how being gay and “feeling transgender” is wrong.
LGBTQ+ advocate Megan Rapinoe led the criticism against her on social media Thursday, without specifically naming Albert, but The Athletic said Rapinoe confirmed it was directed at Albert.
On Friday, Lalas, who made 96 appearances for the men’s team in the 1990s, went to X and responded to fans who asked for his opinion.
He first retweeted a post from OutKick that referenced Rapinoe’s history of mocking Christianity, then wrote back to a fan about Albert: “She apologized and she is a talented young American player with a bright future.
Alexi Lalas has defended Korbin Albert following a Megan Rapinoe-led backlash against her
Megan Rapinoe (pictured with fiancée Sue Bird) led the criticism of Albert on social media
Albert, who plays club football for Paris Saint-Germain in France, is a rising star for the USWNT
‘But if there is a purity test for the #USWNT, I would like to see it. Because I would like to add some questions.’
He then shared a highlight from Albert’s career, saying: ‘20-year-old Korbin Albert plays for PSG and is part of a new young generation #USWNT players. The future is bright.’
Lalas was then that Albert’s views risked creating conflict in the American teams.
“If we required all players to like, respect and/or agree with everyone on their team, we would never play a game. Players are ruthless, at least the good ones,” he said.
‘Maybe she’s not part of the best collection of players. But that best collection is based on results.
“You don’t have to like your teammates, you just have to believe they can do the job. Big players are ruthless. They divide, forgive and/or forget in exchange for victory.’
Rapinoe, a two-time World Cup winner with the USA in her playing career, tore her Achilles tendon in her final match as a player, at OL Reign. She said afterwards that her injury was proof that God does not exist.
Last year, when the US exited the World Cup in the round of 16 on penalties against Sweden – Rapinoe laughed after missing her own penalty – Lalas said he hoped the USWNT would become more likeable without Rapinoe in the new era.
Rapinoe criticized Albert this week through a statement on her own Instagram account
Alexi Lalas appeared critical of Rapinoe on social media, albeit without naming her directly
‘Don’t kill the messenger. This #USWNT is polarizing,” he said. “Politics, causes, positions and behavior have made this team unpleasant to a segment of America.
“This team has built its brand and derived its strength from being the best/winning. If that disappears, they run the risk of becoming irrelevant.”
Rapinoe, along with most of her USA teammates, would not sing the national anthem before games. She also knelt during the national anthem during her time as an international player.
In a post to her Instagram Story on Thursday evening, Albert, 20, wrote: ‘I would like to sincerely apologize for my actions on social media. Liking and sharing posts that are offensive, insensitive and hurtful was immature and disrespectful, which was never my intention.
“I am truly disappointed in myself and deeply sorry for the pain I have caused my teammates, other players, fans, friends and anyone who was offended.
When Rapinoe was injured in her last ever match, she said it was proof that God doesn’t exist
‘I truly believe that everyone should feel safe and respected everywhere and on all playing fields. I know my actions did not live up to that and for that I sincerely apologize.
“It is an honor and a privilege to play this sport and on the world stage and I promise to do better.”
It came after Rapinoe’s statement, which said: “To the people who want to hide behind ‘my beliefs’, I would like to ask just one question: do you make every time of space safer, more inclusive, more complete, any semblance of better , do you bring out the best in someone? …because if you’re not, you only believe in hate.
“And children are literally killing themselves because of this hatred. Wake up TF! Kind regards, #15.”