Megan Rapinoe for the "first while wearing the uniform of the U.S. women's national team" took a knee during the playing of the National Anthem against Thailand on Thursday night, resulting in U.S. Soccer releasing a statement that it "did not agree" with her decision, according to Graham Hays of ESPNW. U.S. Soccer said in its statement, "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 prior to the game said she was unsure what she would do. However, following the match, she said still plans "to keep kneeling." Rapinoe: "I'm trying to kind of formulate a better plan and an action step moving forward. But until then this is how I can help, this how I can use my voice going forward and this is how I can be an ally in this space." Hays notes Rapinoe "first knelt during the anthem" prior to a Sept. 4 NWSL game. There was "little discernible reaction, positive or negative, from the crowd" on Thursday night (ESPNW.com, 9/16). In Columbus, Adam Jardy notes a fan in the north end of Mapfre Stadium "took advantage" of the brief silence between Rapinoe kneeling and the anthem starting "to shout 'stand up'” (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 9/16). Rapinoe after the game said of not standing for the Anthem, "I understand it’s a time-honored tradition and it’s something, especially in the sports environment, this country is very passionate about. But there’s a bigger conversation here that needs to happen that is far bigger than sports" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 9/16).
COULD SHE FACE PUNISHMENT? USWNT coach Jill Ellis prior to the game said team officials "haven't gone" to a point where possible repercussions could be given to Rapinoe for not standing, as that is "to be determined." Ellis: "The way I am and how I’m wired, it's going to warrant a conversation and then a determination of which direction in terms of how I want to play this out." She added, "Megan and I have had several conversations, and I completely understand her willingness to try to bring attention to social issues to heart. ... But I’ve made sure she understands my perspective and my opinion and my expectation, and what's going to guide me is this is a team-first environment. It is a personal stance within a team environment.” After U.S. Soccer released its statement during the game, ESPN's Julie Foudy, a former USWNT member, said, "As part of the privilege of living in this country, don't you also have the right to do just that? Again, whether you love it or hate it and where you fall on that spectrum, it is the one beautiful thing about this country that’s been founded on. Not to say that you have to agree with it, but isn’t that what this country is about? So what does that mean? Expectation? Does it mean there will be repercussions?” ESPN's Adrian Healey: "It certainly leaves the door open” (“Thailand-U.S.,” ESPN2, 9/15). CBS’ Gayle King noted U.S. Soccer officials "are angry after the latest on-the-field protest" by Rapinoe (“CBS This Morning,” 9/16).
