Rapinoe slams Fox’s Lalas for calling USWNT тАШunlikeableтАЩ after World Cup loss | Football News
The U.S. WomenтАЩs National Team suffered a shocking defeat in the 2023 WomenтАЩs World Cup, ending their bid for a third consecutive title.
The USWNT had set a high bar for themselves with their previous victories, but some underlying problems may have contributed to their early exit. However, some critics, like FoxтАЩs Alexi Lalas, chose to focus on a different aspect of the team: their likability. This did not sit well with star player Megan Rapinoe, who fired back at Lalas.
Lalas, a former U.S. MenтАЩs National Team player, posted on his X account that the USWNT was тАЬpolarizingтАЭ and тАЬunlikeableтАЭ to some Americans because of their political views, causes, stances, and behavior. He also said that the teamтАЩs brand and power depended on being the best and winning, and that they risked becoming irrelevant if they lost.
тАЬDonтАЩt 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,тАЭ he wrote.
The USWNT, known for their advocacy for human rights issues, often faced backlash from conservative groups and individuals in the country. They even clashed with the former President of the United States over their stances. Lalas may be right that they are polarizing, but there may be more to it than that.
Rapinoe, one of the most outspoken athletes in America, responded to LalasтАЩ comments in an interview with The Atlantic. She called his comments тАЬreally disappointingтАЭ and accused right-wingers of waiting for an opportunity to attack the USWNT. She also said that right-wingers did not want women to succeed while fighting for things to be better.
She cited Beyonce, Coco Gauff, and Taylor Swift as examples of women who achieved greatness while fighting for things. She also pointed out that Fox News commentators often echoed LalasтАЩ comments and suggested that he should think about who was agreeing with him.
LalasтАЩ comments seemed cheap and easy.
The USWNT won the World Cup during Donald TrumpтАЩs presidency, and there was plenty of conflict between Rapinoe and Trump then.
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It is easy to see the USWNTтАЩs high-profile members taking a stand against human rights violations and, if you disagree with them, bash them for тАЬbeing distractedтАЭ or for prioritizing causes over winning. As if they could not do both.
Carli LloydтАЩs critiques of the USWNT drew criticism too, but LloydтАЩs comments were more interesting than LalasтАЩ lazy attempts at political commentary. And it is likely that the USWNT, especially someone like Rapinoe, would respect Lloyd and what she said since she had been a champion herself.
