The U.S. women’s soccer team is one of the most politically active groups of athletes anywhere.
Protesting the national anthem is part of their brand.
But the truth about the U.S. women’s soccer team kneeling for the anthem will blow you away.
Former women’s national soccer team goalie Hope Solo made some surprising comments about star player and hardcore left-wing activist Megan Rapinoe in an interview with Goal.
Solo addressed the political nature of the team and said that “the rhetoric surrounding this team has been both divisive and inclusive.”
The former goalie admitted that the team kneeling for the anthem was not a popular move, saying that she lived in a conservative part of the country and knew Trump supporters were against discrimination but did not like protesting the flag.
“Right now, what I’ve seen is there’s been so much debate about the kneeling, about the not kneeling,” Solo stated. “I know most people stand against discrimination. And I live in the south. I live in a very conservative area here in North Carolina in the south.”
Solo admitted that not everyone on the team wanted to protest, but that star player Megan Rapinoe bullied dissenters into kneeling for the anthem even if they believed it was the wrong way to protest.
“It’s tough,” Solo continued. “I’ve seen Megan Rapinoe almost bully players into kneeling because she really wants to stand up for something in her particular way. But it’s our right as Americans to do it whatever way we’re comfortable with, and I think that’s really hard being on the main stage right now with so many political issues for athletes.”
The U.S. women’s soccer team flopped at the Olympics, failing to win the gold medal in what is likely Rapinoe’s last go around with the squad.
Many, including Donald Trump, believe if the team was more focused on winning, as opposed to protesting, they would have come out on top.
Sports with Balls will keep you up-to-date about any new developments in this ongoing story.
