TIM HOWARD: Why USMNT players should follow Kylian Mbappe’s lead and take a political stand ahead of the election… just like when Megan Rapinoe took on Donald Trump

Our country is incredibly divided. It’s been that way for years and the reality is that if you’re an athlete in America and politics comes up in conversation, you could sneeze the wrong way and you’d still be criticized.

Dive into politics and you are enemy number 1. That’s just how it is. But many athletes still put themselves in the line of fire – here and around the world.

Look at Kylian Mbappe. Before France’s opening match at the 2024 European Championship, he spoke out against extremism in the run-up to the upcoming elections.

His teammates Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud, Benjamin Pavard and Marcus Thuram have all spoken out about the vote as well.

But Mbappé’s comments were bold and shocked many people, including me. There are only a few people in France who are really important and really polarizing. The president is one. Mbappe is another.

He is probably the best player in the world: a World Cup winner on his way to Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world.

So he has a voice. He has a platform. And as long as you do business on the field, you can say whatever you want.

The same goes for players on the USMNT. They don’t live under a rock. They understand that going into the Copa America, they represent a country rife with division – racial, political and socio-economic. It is obvious. Just look at our college campuses and our courtrooms!

So if anyone on the US team wants to speak out, if they have a strong opinion on an issue and have been educated about it, that’s fine with me.

I don’t believe in the idea that athletes have to stick to sports. They are people, they are individuals. And they have the right to speak – just like everyone else.

I’ve been on teams that talked about hitting or taking the knee. Sometimes we decided to do it. Sometimes we decided to concentrate on playing.

It’s a delicate balance and there is no right answer. The most impactful moment to take a stand is when all eyes are on you. And these are people who have emotions and ideas about how they want to express themselves.

But there’s another simple truth: whether you like it or not, whether it’s fair or unfair, if you’re creating outside noise, you better make sure you deliver.

Because let me be clear: when the sun rises and sets, do you protest or speak out and fail on the field? That must be the reason. That’s just the way this works. I don’t make the rules. But that’s the advice I’ve always given to teammates.

We’ve seen it with the USWNT. They have had incredible success over the years, winning World Cups and Olympic gold medals.

But their players also chose to take a stand: They fought for equal pay, Megan Rapinoe took a knee and stood up to Donald Trump. Some players refused to sing the national anthem.

And when they flopped at the World Cup last year, the criticism was brutal. Especially for Rapinoe, who missed a crucial penalty – and then laughed. Trump had kept the receipts. “Many of our players were openly hostile to America. “No other country behaved in such a manner, or even close to it,” he wrote. “WAKENESS EQUALS FAILURE. Nice shot Megan, the US is going to hell!!! MAGA.’

Far-right leaders have already condemned Mbappé and the attacker will come under even more fire if he and France fail at the 2024 European Championship. Everyone runs that risk.

This USMNT seems to be a tight-knit unit. They understand what it means to wear the American jersey. But heading into the Copa America, Gregg Berhalter has no permanent captain. That doesn’t sit well with me.

I strongly believe that there should be one voice and the communication hierarchy should be clear: manager, captain, senior players and then no one else. Football is vulnerable and players are insecure. Confidence ebbs and flows with each outcome.

So you need a figurehead: someone who is strong, someone who stands up in difficult moments, someone who teammates can count on. When you have that, it’s amazing how everyone toes the line.

Without a doubt, Tyler Adams should have the armband. Just look at how he operates on the pitch, his cheerful personality, his tenacity and how well he speaks off the pitch.

Under his leadership, this team can boost the country at the Copa America. Sometimes it’s as simple as just kicking the ball: exercise can be healing, motivating and inspiring.

But Tyler is not a leader who avoids difficult topics. And I wouldn’t have a problem with him or a teammate speaking out. They can support that better on the field.

COPA AMERICA PREDICTIONS

WINNER: Argentina

DARK HORSES: Colombia

STAR OF THE TOURNAMENT: Luis Diaz (Colombia)

He played a starring role for Liverpool, but this is a chance for him to stick a flag in the sand on the world stage.

YOUNG PLAYER TO SHINE: Gio Reyna (United States)

After a few difficult years, he finally has a solid foundation in the national team.

He can make himself one of the first names on the team sheet and run the show for the USA, especially when the game is open and fast.

MAIN PLAYER FOR THE USMNT: Christian Pulisic

He is the face of the team and that means you have to produce. But ultimately, the US will go as far as he can wear them this summer.

Pulisic has done fantastic for the US and had an incredible club season with AC Milan. He is in very good form and that is crucial when you go to big tournaments.