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Why is the US women's football team being slammed? Players shredded for being 'national embarrassment’

The USWNT was about to take on the Netherlands when a good portion of the national team opted to remain silent during the national anthem

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND: The US Women's soccer team is facing fierce backlash after standing silent and motionless during the National Anthem before their second World Cup game. The USWNT was about to take on the Netherlands on Wednesday, July 26 when a good portion of the national team opted to remain silent as ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ was playing during the traditional pre-match ceremony.

Six players did put their hands on their hearts but three including Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher, and Lindsey Horan appeared to mumble the words rather than sing loudly along. In contrast to the US team, the Dutch squad proudly sang their national anthem, Wilhelmus, with the players wrapping their arms around each other before the game started in Wellington, New Zealand. After a tough fight, the national team managed to eke out a 1-1 draw but their snub drew a vicious backlash from many patriots.

‘Kick them OFF the team’

"All 11 Dutch women sang their anthem. Too bad we can't match them," said one user. "I’m team USA all the way but I wouldn’t mind seeing this team served some humble pie. The most listless and apathetic team I’ve seen represents the US" another fumed while a third wrote, "Why would you play for USA but not even participate in the national anthem? Embarrassing and disrespectful." "Why would you come to play for a country that you clearly do not care for, yet they pay for you to be on the world stage? Either be proud you have the freedom to play wearing a USA uniform. Otherwise, find another country to call home! Dutch played dirty but they are proud!" another user asserted. "Kick them OFF the team the ones who refuse to place hand over their heart," someone else said.

'Every player has the choice'

This follows the inaugural match against Vietnam last Friday when six of the starting 11 chose to keep their arms at their sides or behind their backs rather than place their hands over their hearts during the National Anthem. Meanwhile, five others put their hands on their hearts, including Ertz, Naeher, and Horan, who also sang the national anthem lyrics. The USWNT’s snub received some harsh comments from Megan Kelly, who said their actions proved that they "hate" their country. "I really do believe their version of what a feminist is, what it means to be an empowered woman, at least as an American woman, means you need to hate your country. It means to go out on the national stage and embarrass yourself and your country by not singing the national anthem," the host said.

Following a severe backlash, USWNT star Naomi Girma hit back saying, “I think when we’re out there we’re preparing for the game, and that isn’t the focus. Ultimately, every player has the choice, that's all I have to say." Critics have been keeping an eye on the US women's behavior during the anthem ever since former captain Megan Rapinoe knelt in protest of alleged racist police brutality beginning in 2016. Rapinoe, who is now playing her final World Cup, also declared in 2019 that she would "never put my hand over my heart" and "never sing the national anthem again." Rapinoe was not in the starting lineup for the game against the Netherlands - she was instead named as a substitute.