Megan Rapinoe knelt for the national anthem and U.S. Soccer didn't appreciate it
Megan Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem before the United States women's national team's 9-0 exhibition win over Thailand on Thursday.
Though it wasn't Rapinoe's first time kneeling in support of Colin Kaepernick's silent national anthem protest, it was her first time doing so while playing for the U.S. squad.
U.S. soccer wasn't thrilled. The organization released this statement:
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Representing your country is a privilege and honor for any player or coach that is associated with U.S. Soccer’s National Teams. Therefore, our national anthem has particular significance for U.S. Soccer. In front of national and often global audiences, the playing of our national anthem is an opportunity for our Men’s and Women’s National Team players and coaches to reflect upon the liberties and freedom we all appreciate in this country. As part of the privilege to represent your country, we have an expectation that our players and coaches will stand and honor our flag while the National Anthem is played.
Rapinoe feels she doesn't necessarily share those "liberties and freedom[s]," she said earlier this month. Her protest of the national anthem is meant to not only show solidarity with Kapernick but also shed light on some of her own beliefs.
"Quite honestly, being gay, I have stood with my hand over my heart during the national anthem and felt like I haven't had my liberties protected, so I can absolutely sympathize with that feeling," Rapinoe told ESPNw.
The soccer star first knelt earlier this month in "a nod to Kaepernick."
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Kaepernick has received plenty of backlash for kneeling, even with other NFL players joining in, including the Broncos' Brandon Marshall, who lost two endorsement deals for following suit.
Despite U.S. Soccer's slap on the wrist, Rapinoe has no plans of backing down, she said.
Or standing up, rather.
