Retired soccer player turned Fox Sports analyst Alexi Lalas said that the U.S. women’s national team’s devastating loss at the FIFA World Cup over the weekend puts them at risk of "becoming irrelevant."
Responding to a user’s reply on X, formerly known as Twitter, Lalas said “polarizing” politics made the team “unlikeable” after a group of players refused to sing the national anthem at the Sunday game.
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“Don’t kill the messenger. This #USWNT is polarizing,” Lalas posted. “Politics, causes, stances, & behavior have made this team unlikeable to a portion of America. This team has built its brand and has derived its power from being the best/winning. If that goes away they risk becoming irrelevant.”
Don’t kill the messenger. This #USWNT is polarizing. Politics, causes, stances, & behavior have made this team unlikeable to a portion of America. This team has built its brand and has derived its power from being the best/winning. If that goes away they risk becoming irrelevant. https://t.co/J5yFxOuBet
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) August 6, 2023
Sweden beat the U.S. in the Women’s World Cup by 5-4 on penalties after soccer player Megan Rapinoe missed a consequential shot, the Associated Press reported. This was the first time in team history the U.S. was eliminated in the Round of 16.
The USWNT, which has a record total of four World Cup titles, was trying to win a third consecutive title but failed to do so.
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Former President Donald Trump also chimed in on the matter, posting on Truth Social that the team’s lack of respect for their nation cost them the game.
Apart from playing soccer, Rapinoe is known for being a social activist for LGBT rights and gender equality, causes for which she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom last year. She previously announced this year was her last World Cup.