NWSL Seattle Reign MF Megan Rapinoe yesterday "never got a chance to kneel during the national anthem" at Maryland SoccerPlex, as Washington Spirit Owner and Air Force vet Bill Lynch "ordered 'The Star-Spangled Banner' to be played while the teams were in the locker room," according to Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST. The Spirit said they took the action "rather than subject our fans and friends to the disrespect we feel such an act would represent.” Rapinoe recently said that she supported 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick's decision to sit during the anthem. Moments after the Spirit and Reign players finished warm-ups and retreated indoors, fans "were asked to stand and observe the anthem." Players on both teams "arrived at the SoccerPlex unaware of plans for the early playing of the anthem." The Spirit said that it "did not want Rapinoe to detract from the final regular season home game." The team in a statement said, "While we respect every individual’s right to express themselves, and believe Ms. Rapinoe to be an amazing individual with a huge heart; we respectfully disagree with her method of hijacking our organization’s event to draw attention to what is ultimately a personal -- albeit worthy -- cause.” NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush attended the match and, after the anthem played, said that he was "unaware of the Spirit’s plans" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/8).
SHOTS FIRED: Rapinoe yesterday responded by saying, "It was incredibly distasteful to say that I -- four days before one of the worst tragedies we’ve had in our country -- to say that I hijacked this event ... it’s just really disappointing and disrespectful in my opinion. You talk about me disrespecting the flag, he didn’t even give people a chance, give both teams a chance to even stand in front of it and show their respect. It’s unbelievable" (USA TODAY, 9/8). CSNBAYAREA.com's Ray Ratto noted the idea that Rapinoe "would help take up Kaepernick’s national scorn burden is simply a good thing to do with no apparent tangible gain" (CSNBAYAREA.com, 9/6).
