News/Commentary

USWNT mostly stays mute for national anthem, a stark contrast to their enthusiastic opponents

July 22, 2023 | | Print Article

The U.S. women’s national soccer team (USWNT) is facing backlash over its blatant lack of enthusiasm for the national anthem.

Video footage from the USWNT’s World Cup opener this Friday against Vietnam shows most team members remaining silent and not putting their hand to the heart during the playing of the national anthem.

“Only five of the 11 players who stood on the field for the anthem — with young, aspiring players standing before them — placed their hands over their hearts, while their six teammates kept their digits clasped behind their backs,” the New York Post noted.

Meanwhile, only three team members — Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher, and Lindsey Horan — sang along with the crowd.

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Conversely, members of Vietnam’s soccer team all passionately sang along as their national anthem was played. They also all had their right hand over their heart.

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The contrasting imagery prompted massive criticism on social media, with critics accusing the USWNT of being an unpatriotic, veritably anti-American team.

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If you’re wondering why critics have rushed to condemn the girls instead of waiting to see if there was a valid reason for their lack of enthusiasm, do factor in that the USWNT has a history of blatant anti-Americanism.

Indeed, three years ago, the team made a big fuss when U.S. Soccer decided to mandate that players stand and show respect during the playing of the national anthem.

“We believe the Federation should immediately repeal the ‘Anthem Policy,’ publish a statement acknowledging the policy was wrong when it was adopted, and issue an apology to our Black players and supporters,” the team said in a statement at the time.

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The team was understandably ratioed over the tweet.

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The USWNT also has a history of pushing far-left talking points that alienate everyday Americans.

Back in February, team member Becky Sauerbrunn penned a whole column for the Springfield News-Leader advocating on behalf of “transgender women” (biological men who identify as women) who want to compete against biological women.

Shortly thereafter, team member Alex Morgan suggested that the team should boycott the GOP-led states that had “transgender women” from competing against biological women.

“Looking at these games in Florida and Texas, respectively, we’re going to need to continue to step it up, and have internal discussions as well with the team, because we’re not ones to shy away from hard conversation or taking a stand for what’s right,” she said.

She added that “playing in Florida and Texas — that’s something that the team definitely needs to look at.”

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Vivek Saxena
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