US legend Alexi Lalas claims women’s team turned ‘obnoxious’ after players failed to sing the Star Spangled Banner at the World Cup
- USWNT has come under fire after some refused to sing the national anthem
- US icon Alexi Lalas says the team has become “unpleasant” with the position
American soccer legend Alexi Lalas believes the women’s team has become “obnoxious” after some of the players did not sing the Star Spangled Banner during the World Cup because “politics and views” damaged their image.
The US were knocked out of the World Cup on Sunday after a dramatic penalty shootout loss to Sweden, but six players opted not to sing the national anthem before the match started.
In previous Women’s World Cup group matches against Vietnam, the Netherlands and Portugal, the majority of Vlatko Andonovski’s squad did not sing along to the national anthem.
The controversy has led to a number of voices speaking out against the team – with US media personality Megyn Kelly saying she hoped the players lost to Sweden, calling them ‘shameful’.
Now Lalas – who made 96 appearances for the US national team between 1991 and 1998 – has joined the debate, claiming that the US women’s squad was now seen as “unpleasant” and at risk of becoming “irrelevant” if they continue to make “polarizing” politics. positions in the future.
US legend Alexi Lalas believes the women’s team turned obnoxious after some refused to sing the Star Spangled Banner at the World Cup
Six players stood still as the national anthem was played for the US defeat to Sweden on Sunday
“Don’t kill the messenger,” he wrote on Twitter — in response to a fan claiming Americans had been “celebrating a loss.”
“This #USWNT is polarizing. Politics, causes, positions and behavior have made this team unpleasant to part of America. This team has built its brand and derived its strength from being/winning the best. If that disappears, they run the risk of becoming irrelevant.’
Megan Rapinoe – who was seen smiling after missing a penalty against Sweden – was one of the main targets of critics during this World Cup, with Kelly calling her the ‘leader’ who inspired players not to sing the national anthem.
“Megan Rapinoe, she is the leader of it all… She is not a starter. So that’s why she’s not on camera when they sing the national anthem, but she’s behind a lot of this,” Kelly said while hosting the Megyn Kelly Show.
“She has poisoned the whole team against the country they play for. I don’t know about you, but I don’t support them. I’m not with them. I hope they lose… It’s embarrassing. These girls are embarrassing. They should be ashamed.
Lalas believes the team risks becoming “irrelevant” if they persist in their political positions
Megan Rapinoe, who laughed after missing her penalty, is known for her outspoken political views and activism and was mocked by Donald Trump on Sunday
Trump claimed some players were “openly hostile to America” as he waded into the line
“They will not sing the national anthem. Half of them don’t want to put their hands on their hearts. Even those who sing only half participate. They clearly don’t want to do it. I mean, they look like they don’t even want to be there. It feels like an inconvenience to represent the US.’
Even former US President Donald Trump waded into the line, took aim at Rapinoe for her missed penalty and claimed some players were “openly hostile to America.”
“The “shocking and totally unexpected” loss of the US women’s soccer team to Sweden is completely symbolic of what is happening to our once great nation under Crooked Joe Biden,” Trump wrote on social media.
Many of our players were openly hostile to America – No other country behaved like this, or even close.
‘WAKE UP IS EQUALS TO FAIL.
Nice shot Megan, the US is going to hell!!! MAGA.’