Did The American Women Win Their First World Cup Game? Did They Honor The Flag During The National Anthem?

Soccer is not an overly complicated sport. The fundamentals include running, kicking the ball into the net, and trying not to alienate half of your home country when you play in the Women’s World Cup.  The United States Women’s National Team did two of those things well in their World Cup opener against Vietnam, but many of the team’s members’ obsession with bringing politics into all aspects of their lives put a damper on their 3-0 win. 

Why? Because of what the majority of the team did during the national anthem played before the match. Give Megan Rapinoe and company credit for not taking a knee or hiding in the locker room. However, showing any facial expressions other than disdain and refusing to mouth or sing a single word of the anthem clearly a majority of the player’s pre-game strategy. 

The “Star Spangled Banner” could have easily been confused with a moment of silence. You’d think a prideful song like that, played in a foreign country before a huge game, would have moved the ladies a little bit. Apparently not. 

There were exceptions, though, as five Americans did have their hands over their hearts during the anthem, and credit to Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher, and Lindsey Horan, who were mouthing the words to the song.  

The problems arise when their lack of pride and emotion is contrasted with their opponents. The Vietnam players sang in unison while holding their hands over their hearts as their national anthem, “Song of a Marching Army,” was played. 

The Vietnam team’s gratitude for being on this big stage was understandable since this was the first time they qualified to play in the World Cup, a momentous occasion for them.  Meanwhile, the American team is the best in the world and looking to win their third World Cup in a row.

It would be nice if the team leaders wearing red, white, and blue could focus on a sporting event and leave decisive politics out of it for once.   But that is impossible when Rapinoe is known as much for her progressive politics as her abilities as an athlete. 

But it could be worse. In 2021, in a match against Australia, only one American women’s team member did not kneel during the anthem.  So this counts as progress.