United States Women's Soccer team member Megan Rapinoe has issued a statement online following their loss in the FIFA Women's World Cup, saying it had been "my honor" to play for the United States.
Rapinoe, a subject of criticism among conservatives for kneeling during the U.S. national anthem, and being more concerned about social issues than the team's performance, posted the statement to her Instagram page on Wednesday, approximately three days after she missed a penalty kick in her team's game against Sweden. The athlete and activist announced last month that she will retire soon, with this World Cup marking her fourth one with the team.
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"It has been my honor to play for our country, with so many incredible woman, for so many years," said Rapinoe. "Thank you, a million times over."
Rapinoe stated that she was proud of every member of her team, describing it as "so very special." In retiring from sports, Rapinoe stated the team would be in special hands, "just like it always was, and always will be."
"We lay it all out on the line every single time," said Rapinoe. "Fighting with everything that we have, for everything we deserve, for every person we possibly can."
She has been the subject of criticism from many conservatives regarding her views, including her support for transgender athletes competing against biological women. Rapinoe stated in July she would "absolutely" support and welcome transgender athletes onto the U.S. women's national team, even if a transgender athlete replaced a biological woman.
Last month, the U.S. women’s soccer team was criticized for their performance during the national anthem ahead of the first game in the World Cup, with several team players standing stone-faced without placing their hands over their hearts. Among the team's critics was conservative commentator Megyn Kelly.
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“I really do believe their version of what a feminist is, what it means to be an empowered woman, at least as an American woman, means you need to hate your country,” Kelly said during her SiriusXM The Megyn Kelly Show. “It means to go out on the national stage and embarrass yourself and your country by not singing the national anthem.”
Former President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that the team's loss is "fully emblematic" of the current state of "our once great nation." The former president added that many players on the team were "openly hostile to America," and that no other countries in the World Cup "behaved in such a manner, or even close."