Did Megan Rapinoe bully Team USA into kneeling? Ex-goalie Hope Solo makes SHOCKING claims
Former Team USA goalie Hope Solo has brought forth a series of shocking claims against soccer legend Megan Rapinoe. In the latest interview, Solo has accused the soccer superstar of "bullying" her teammates into kneeling during the national anthem. Rapinoe became the first-ever women soccer player to take the knee in 2016, in solidarity with former NFL star and activist Colin Kaepernick.
The act of kneeling was soon reiterated by other members of the US women's soccer team, who earned the irk of former President Donald Trump alongside Rapinoe. Hope Solo, who was a goalkeeper with the USWNT for nearly a decade, has now said, "I've seen Megan Rapinoe almost bully players into kneeling because she really wants to stand up for something in her particular way. But it's our right as Americans to do it in whatever way we're comfortable with."
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Back in September 2016, Meghan Rapinoe kneeled for the national anthem for the first time, at a friendly match against Thailand in Columbus, Ohio. She began her protest as a gesture of solidarity with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. She thereafter took the knee multiple times at other games.
Her stance was discouraged in a statement released by U.S. Soccer which said, "Representing your country is a privilege and honor for any player or coach that is associated with U.S. Soccer's National Team. Therefore, our national anthem has particular significance for U.S. Soccer. In front of national and often global audiences, the playing of our national anthem is an opportunity for our Men's and Women's National Team players and coaches to reflect upon the liberties and freedom we all appreciate in this country. As part of the privilege to represent your country, we have an expectation that our players and coaches will stand and honor our flag while the National Anthem is played."
She also drew considerable flak from Donald Trump, who infamously launched a verbal tirade against her and called her a "Leftist Maniac". "f our soccer team, headed by a radical group of Leftist Maniacs, wasn't woke, they would have won the Gold Medal instead instead of Bronze," Trump wrote in a tweet back then. He also criticized any player who knelt for the anthem, calling them "son of a b**** and demanding their termination.
Though Rapinoe managed to make an effective statement with her kneeling gesture, it now appears that her teammates were not quite pleased. Hope Solo, who was Rapinoe's teammate for about 10 years, has admitted that the kneeling issue polarized the team. "I think the kneeling thing can be very divisive. I do appreciate the fact that there's no National Anthem right before the game. To really remove that decision from the athletes. Because that's very tough, it's tough," she said.
Solo happens to be a two-times Olympics gold medalist and a World Cup champion. Meanwhile, Megan Rapinoe is yet to make any comments on the bullying allegations.