USWNT midfielder Korbin Albert apologizes after Megan Rapinoe criticism and backlash… admits post with anti-LGBTQ+ content was ‘insensitive and hurtful’

U.S. women’s national team midfielder Korbin Albert apologized Thursday after an anti-LGBTQ+ social media post appeared on her TikTok account.

In a post on her Instagram Story, 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.

‘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.”

She posted this apology to her Instagram Story, where she acknowledged her “hurtful” actions

The apology came in the wake of criticism from Megan Rapinoe – who did not specifically mention Albert in her Instagram Story, but is widely believed to have been talking about those posts.

Rapinoe wrote, “To the people who want to hide behind ‘my beliefs,’ I would just ask one question: Are you making every moment of the space safer, more inclusive, more complete, the appearance of better, and bringing 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.”

Senior players within the USWNT shared Rapinoe’s message. USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn shared it with the caption “well said,” while other reposts came from Lynn Williams, Kristie Mewis and now-retired midfielder Sam Mewis.

The most recent posts Albert shared were reposts from a Christian worship service discussing how being gay and “feeling transgender” is wrong.

Albert, seen as a rising star on the women’s national team, has previously posted similar content on her profile, including a now-deleted post on her TikTok account from the Fourth of July weekend in which she showed off her family and said, “their pronouns are VS’.

She also previously “liked” an Instagram post that was revealed via a screencap of a meme that read, “God takes the time to work miracles to keep Megan Rapinoe from spraining her ankle in her last match ever.”

Rapinoe tore her Achilles tendon in just the third minute of the 2023 NWSL Championship match, watching her team, OL Reign, lose to Gotham FC on penalties.

Albert currently wears jersey No. 15, the one Rapinoe wore during her time in the USWNT.

Albert’s posts drew negative responses from ex-USWNT star Megan Rapinoe

Albert, who wears the No. 15 that Rapinoe wore with the USWNT, previously liked an Instagram post mocking the midfielder for an injury she suffered in the final match of her career in 2023

It’s a similar situation to the case of Jaelene Daniels (née Hinkle), whose outspoken anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs have caused her to be routinely passed over for the USWNT.

The women’s national team has long supported LGBTQ+ rights, with many members of the squad identifying with that demographic at various times.

But the cases of Albert and Daniels are significantly different.

Daniels once refused to appear with the USWNT when they wore rainbow numbers on the back of their jerseys to celebrate Pride Month in 2017. Albert, on the other hand, has not turned down a call-up to the team.

Since that incident in 2017, Daniels had received call-ups to the senior team, but her behavior continued even as she sat out a Pride Match in 2022 for her club team, the North Carolina Courage.