The surprisingly early World Cup exit by the reigning champion U.S. women’s team seemed to have elicited as much derision as sympathy among Americans after the soccer club and its outspoken star, Megan Rapinoe, fell Sunday to Sweden.
Rapinoe and the team were mocked on social media posts as “woke” chokers in the wake of their Round of 16 loss, the earliest elimination of the Americans in the history of the tournament. Some members of the team, led by Rapinoe, had come under fierce criticism for refusing to sing the national anthem at the World Cup.
Rapinoe has used her position on the U.S. team as a platform for left-wing causes. She has taken a knee during the national anthem, protested U.S. racism, slammed the Supreme Court’s overturning of national abortion rights, and criticized laws that bar transgender athletes from women’s sports as “monstrous.”
Perhaps most notably, she has feuded openly with former President Donald Trump and his supporters.
Rapinoe created a stir during the 2019 World Cup when she said the team would refuse to visit the White House and Mr. Trump if invited to celebrate the championship. Rapinoe, a lesbian engaged to former WNBA star Sue Bird, said Mr. Trump’s rhetoric was “excluding people that look like me.”
On Sunday, Mr. Trump used his Truth Social account to taunt Rapinoe’s missed penalty kick that contributed to the U.S. team’s 5-4 penalty shootout loss.
“The ‘shocking and totally unexpected’ loss by the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team to Sweden is fully emblematic of what is happening to our once great Nation under Crooked Joe Biden,” Mr. Trump wrote. “Many of our players were openly hostile to America – No other country behaved in such a manner, or even close. WOKE EQUALS FAILURE.
“Nice shot Megan, the USA is going to Hell!!! MAGA”
Mr. Trump’s post echoed a chorus of critics who ripped the women’s national team for its activism and its early exit.
Clay Travis of Outkick called the women’s national team “cocky” and tweeted that “any men’s team” eliminated so early would “get absolutely obliterated” in the media.
Commentator Piers Morgan wrote, “It’s hard to imagine an American sporting team that’s made the country feel less proud than this bunch of ‘activist’ prima donnas.”
Talk show host Megyn Kelly said last week that Rapinoe had “poisoned the entire team against the country for which they play.”
Rapinoe, 38, a two-time World Cup winner, announced last month that she plans to retire from soccer at the end of the year.
After she missed her penalty kick Sunday — her first missed penalty kick in five years — Rapinoe let out a laugh that she described to reporters as “dark comedy.” Rapinoe, one of three players to miss an attempt in the period, said her miss was like a “sick, sick joke.”
During her press conference, a tearful Rapinoe said she was proud to hear “equal pay” chants during the 2019 World Cup when asked about the most memorable moment of her career. Rapinoe pushed for years for a raise for women’s national team players to match the pay of their male counterparts. In 2022, the women’s team received a $24 million settlement in back pay from the U.S. Soccer Federation.
“This team has always fought for so much more, and that’s been the most rewarding part of me,” Rapinoe said. “Of course, playing in World Cups and winning championships and doing all that, but to know that we’ve used our really special talents to do something that really has changed the world forever, I think that means the most to me.”
That response brought its own round of criticism. Jason Whitlock of The Blaze wrote, “Could you imagine Joe Montana or Michael Jordan summarizing their careers by referencing a contract dispute?” Graham Allen, a conservative media personality, tweeted, “Talk about a loser …” and included a video clip of the soccer star’s remarks.
Elsewhere, Rapinoe and the national team still had supporters. “Trump and his MAGA minions are so patriotic that they’re celebrating America’s World Cup loss,” a Rolling Stone headline read. “It’s ‘America First’ — unless the U.S. women’s national team is involved,” noted the headline of a column in The Washington Post. Julie DiCaro of Deadspin tweeted that the backlash was “so predictable” and that society was “obsessed with taking women they perceive as ‘arrogant’ or ‘cocky’ down a peg.”
President Biden, who awarded Rapinoe the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022, tweeted that he was proud of the national team.
“Congratulations on an incredible run,” Mr. Biden said. “This team is something special and I’m looking forward to seeing how you continue to inspire Americans with your grit and determination — on and off the field.”
The discourse took a confusing tone to some. A Twitter reply to Fox Sports analyst Alexi Lalasuser said it was “weird watching Americans celebrate an American loss.”
“Don’t kill the messenger,” Ms. Lalas wrote back. “This #USWNT is polarizing. Politics, causes, stances & behavior have made this team unlikeable to a portion of America. This team has built its brand and has derived its power from being the best/winning. If that goes away they risk becoming irrelevant.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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