US Women's Soccer Team's Purported Behavior during the Anthem Sparks Controversy
A Twitter storm has once again taken over the internet, with some dragging the U.S. women's soccer team for allegedly disrespecting their home country.
Social media was set alight. Opposing sides battled over whether the U.S. women's soccer team did or did not display disrespectful behavior during the U.S. national anthem before a recent game against Mexico.
Many were adamant that some players purposefully turned their back to World War II veteran Pete DuPré while he played the anthem on his harmonica. Others alleged that these claims are all right-wing delusions.
The U.S. women's soccer team standing on the field during the national anthem. │ Source: twitter.com/espn
Sharing a clip of the incident online, the Post Millennial took to Twitter, revealing their disdain for these women's purported misbehavior at the soccer game. They angrily penned:
"They turn their backs while 98-year-old World War II veteran Pete DuPré played the National Anthem on his harmonica."
Some agreed with the post, with one commentator stating that the women's claimed actions were disgraceful. Another emphasized that they were at the game and that these assertions against the players are misinformed.
Richard Grenell also snubbed the U.S. team on Twitter. He shared a picture of both the Mexican and United States teams standing in a line together during the U.S national anthem.
He accused them of dishonoring the U.S. flag and anthem via their allegedly unpatriotic actions. He implied that the Mexican players had more appreciation for their home country as they turned for their anthem.
The U.S. Soccer Communications Department responded to both Grenell and the Post Millennial on the social media platform, claiming that their assertions are false. The Department stated:
"Not true. No-one turned their back on WWII Veteran Pete DuPré during tonight's anthem."
They affirmed that some of the women were merely facing the U.S. flag located elsewhere in the stadium. The Department stated that the women expressed their gratitude towards the veteran after the game.
The U.S. Soccer Communications Department responding to a Tweet by the Post Millennial. │ Source: twitter.com/ussoccer_comms ussoccer_comms
The U.S. women's national soccer team shared a clip of them signing a ball for the veteran. Forward Carli Lloyd also denied the accusations, reaffirming that some of the players were simply facing the flag.
One article questioned why the narrative is still so strong. It affirmed that the facts are clear, and they did not disrespect the flag, accusing right-leaning "anti-wokeness" groups of constructing these alleged untruths.
The individuals in this soccer team are not the only sportswomen to come under fire this year. Iconic athlete Simone Biles was slammed by her fans for putting "GOAT" on her leotard during the U.S. Classic.
Some fans thought that the acronym, which stands for "Greatest of All Time," was fitting but also arrogant and in bad taste. As America's all-time most decorated gymnast, if anyone deserves to show off, it's her.