The US Women’s National Soccer Team came under fire this week after only a few of them bothered to stand and place their hands over their hearts during the national anthem prior to their World Cup game against Vietnam.
The United States team was the home team at the game, being played at New Zealand’s North Harbour Stadium. The match was marked by six players standing with their hands at their sides or behind their backs, while three of them – Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher, and Lindsey Horan – had the decency to at least mouth the words of the anthem.
Meanwhile, the Vietnamese players showed much more respect for their own anthem, “Tiến Quân Ca,” or “Song of a Marching Army.” All eleven players held their right hands over their hearts as they sang in unison.
Just days before the match, Megan Rapinoe, the USWNST flamboyant star, had told Yahoo Sports that she “will never put my hand over my heart” during the playing of the national anthem, declaring, “I’ll probably never sing the national anthem again.”
Most of the U.S. Women’s soccer players refused to sing our great national anthem.
What. A. Disgrace. pic.twitter.com/G8CJc22BMJ
— 3sidedstory 🇺🇲 (@3sidedstory) July 22, 2023
Democrats, including Joe and Jill Biden, have been gushing over Rapinoe’s various progressive causes – from LGBTQ+ rights, to racial inequality, voter rights, and gender and pay equity. The President has even honored her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Former New York City police commissioner, Bernie Kerik, – who was pardoned by President Trump after being convicted on eight felonies in 2010 – slammed the USWNST for their lack of respect.
“Can someone teach [the USWNST] the words to the ‘Star Spangled Banner’?” Kerik asked on Twitter. “Their silence was deafening. No one should be allowed to wear the American flag, and represent the U.S. if they don’t believe in it. Most of them don’t even know the words.”
Kerik wasn’t the only one upset. Fans took to social media to express their disapproval. “Most of them don’t even know the words to our national anthem and this is just an international embarrassment,” one tweeted.
American pride used to mean something different than it does today. It used to be a matter of leaving politics at the water’s edge, keeping a united front, and respecting one another despite our differences. Unfortunately, that ideal seems to have disappeared with the emergence of the progressive movement, which has turned entertainment like sports into a petri dish for its political agenda.
Thankfully, the U.S. team did win the match against Vietnam 3-0. Now if only they were capable of showing some respect for their own country.
Most of the U.S. Women’s soccer players refused to sing our great national anthem.
What. A. Disgrace. pic.twitter.com/G8CJc22BMJ
— 3sidedstory 🇺🇲 (@3sidedstory) July 22, 2023
