NWSL Seattle Reign MF Megan Rapinoe, in the wake of the Washington Spirit's decision on Wednesday to play the national anthem before players came onto the field, has called that team's owner, Bill Lynch, "homophobic," according to Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST. Rapinoe was asked if being gay played into the Spirit's "decision to undermine her anthem plans." Rapinoe said, "I do. I have had conversations with Spirit players current and past, the fact that they don't have a Pride Night. They have gay players like everyone else (in the league). They've made it pretty clear, at least internally, that that's not a game they are interested in, which is homophobic to me. I don't know if it was directly at me because I'm gay and it's a protest I am making as a gay woman. Bit of a stretch, but yeah I do think that Bill Lynch is homophobic." Lynch on Thursday responded by stating, "She probably got lost in the moment and blurted something out. I certainly don't agree with that statement, by any stretch." Lynch said that sexual orientation has "never been an issue in assembling the squad or staff." Lynch: "We're absolutely inclusive. Anyone claiming we're not inclusive, it's silly." However, Lynch said he made a "conscious decision early on (in his ownership) not to promote any individual causes. I want to focus on women's soccer and the game. Everyone is welcome to our games and to work in our organization." He said that he "doesn't foresee his policy about promoting causes at matches to change." Lynch added that he "did not decide to alter the anthem schedule until late Wednesday afternoon and told only a few staff members." Goff noted playing the anthem without the players on the field "could result in a fine or other sanction; teams are required to follow specific game-day protocol" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/9).
