The U.S. Women’s Soccer team received some attention during their World Cup opener for their lack of enthusiasm during the National Anthem. The game, which took place in New Zealand, showed several American players choosing not to sing along to “The Star-Spangled Banner” while the music played before kickoff.
The camera panned across the entire row of players, and it was evident that most of them had their mouths shut during the anthem. Some even had their arms behind their backs, further indicating their lack of participation. The starters who opted not to sing included Alex Morgan, Andi Sullivan, Sophia Smith, Naomi Girma, Emily Fox, Trinity Rodman, and Crystal Dunn, among others. Only a few players, such as Alyssa Naeher and Lindsey Horan, were seen mouthing the words.
This lack of enthusiasm during the National Anthem caught the attention of many viewers. In contrast, the Vietnamese players were observed singing their own national anthem loudly and proudly, with their hands over their hearts. This was also the case for other international teams, as observed on FOX Soccer’s social media page.
The stark difference between the American team and other countries became evident as every other team, besides the U.S., belted out their national anthems with gusto. This further highlighted the lack of patriotism displayed by the American players.
The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team’s actions raised questions about why they chose not to sing along to their national anthem. Some speculated that they were making a statement, as the anthem will be played before each of their matches in the World Cup. This decision was seen by some as a display of protest, which stirred controversy and angered individuals along political lines.
It remains to be seen if the U.S. team will continue this behavior in future matches. Despite the anthem controversy, the Americans won their first game and are scheduled to play against the Netherlands on Wednesday.
This incident has sparked a conversation about patriotism and the role of athletes in representing their country. While some argue that it is the players’ prerogative to choose whether or not to participate in the anthem, others believe that it is a disservice to the country they are representing.
Ultimately, the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team’s actions during the National Anthem in their World Cup opener have ignited a debate about the intersection of sports and politics and the expectations placed on athletes as representatives of their nation. It will be interesting to see how this controversy unfolds and if it influences the team’s future performances.