Megyn Kelly has berated Megan Rapinoe and the Women’s World Cup team for “not watching the ball,” while retired soccer star Alexis Lalas said their politics made them “unpleasant to part of America.”
The journalist had talked on Monday’s edition of the Megyn Kelly Show about the U.S. women’s soccer team being knocked out of the tournament on Sunday.
The team lost 5–4 to Sweden on penalties and crashed out in the second round, their first ever exit from a major tournament.
Megan Rapinoe, an old nemesis of former President Donald Trump, missed a penalty and ended her last World Cup in a disappointing fashion.
On Monday’s show, Kelly pounced on the squad and Rapinoe, saying, “They didn’t have their eye on the ball, they had their eye on this awake activism, which has been for a while.”
Sophia Smith and hug after the US are knocked out of the FIFA Women’s World Cup
Former Major League Soccer player turned analyst Alexi Lalas also criticized the team for their “politics, goals and stances”
The journalist continued, “Megan Rapinoe and her mark on the team have really made an impression and I am very glad she is gone. I feel there is a future for this team now, possibly without this woman at the helm.”
The outspoken Rapinoe is as well known for her activism and support of left-wing causes as she is for her sporting achievements.
Former Major League Soccer player and now analyst Alexi Lalas also criticized the team for their “politics, goals and stances.”
He tweeted, “Don’t kill the messenger. 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.’
The journalist spoke on the Monday edition of the Megyn Kelly Show about eliminating the women’s soccer team at the World Cup
After the defeat to Sweden, former President Trump cheered the team’s elimination from the World Cup.
Trump wrote on social media: “The US women’s soccer team’s ‘shocking and totally unexpected’ loss to Sweden is completely symbolic of what is happening to our once great nation under Crooked Joe Biden.
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.’
Rapinoe later responded to the comments, saying, “It’s a very sad dig in an old bag. I’m like, “Do you wish people to do bad things?” Yuck.’
Rapinoe, known for her outspoken political views and activism, was mocked by Donald Trump on Sunday
A stunned Rapinoe is seen after the US is knocked out of the tournament
Rapinoe garnered national attention when she knelt for the national anthem during an international game in September 2016 — a move in support of NFL player Colin Kaepernick’s stance against police brutality and racial inequality in the United States.
Rapinoe also demanded that the women’s team be paid the same as the men – a battle that was finally won in February 2022.
She’s been feuding with Trump for years, saying she wouldn’t visit the White House, as is tradition, if they won the 2019 World Cup – which they did.
In response to her statement that she “didn’t go to the fucking White House,” Trump said, “Megan should never disrespect our country, the White House or our flag, especially because so much has been done for her.” & the team.’
After her team’s win, she used an interview with Meet The Press in July 2019 to say she didn’t feel welcome in Trump’s America.
Kelly had previously torn the team apart for standing still during the national anthem at the World Cup.
Rapinoe kneels during the national anthem in September 2016, in support of Colin Kaepernick’s protest against police brutality. It marked the beginning of her feud with Trump
Some American players put their hands on their hearts as they sang the national anthem. Pictured from left, Julie Ertz, Naomi Girma and Alyssa Naeher
Before beating Vietnam 3-0 in July, six of the 11 starting players opted not to put their hands on their hearts, instead keeping their arms beside or behind their backs.
She said: ‘For some of them, who didn’t even put their hands over their hearts when the national anthem played, that was a bridge too far.
“They couldn’t be bothered to put their hand over their heart as the national anthem played, as they stood there to represent you and me and the country and our military and people who gave their lives for the country they represent. ‘