Defeat on field, ‘anti-American’ off field: U.S. women's soccer team's World Cup loss to Sweden stirs controversy

The U.S. women's national soccer team faced a tough loss to Sweden in penalty kicks during the knockout round of the World Cup. The defeat left star players like Megan Rapinoe visibly dejected, ending their World Cup journey sooner than expected.

While the loss has left many fans sad, it has also sparked a range of reactions, exposing the polarizing nature of the U.S. women's national team. Particularly in the political realm, some voices are celebrating the team's downfall.

"Anti-American" claims abound

Critics who view the team's political activism as divisive used the moment to express their sentiments. One user tweeted, "It looks like the anti-American, anti-women activist Megan Rapinoe lead Team USA into the loss and kicked out of the World Cup early."

Another pointed out, “Not only did the anti-American WOKE women's soccer team lose today. Megan Rapinoe missed a penalty kick that would have sealed the win for the USA.”

Central to the polarized reactions is Megan Rapinoe, the team's captain and a vocal advocate for various social causes. Her stance on issues like wage equality and racial justice has garnered both admiration and criticism. Some fans attribute the team's loss to Rapinoe, with one stating, “The anti-American USA woke women's soccer team has been eliminated and Megan Rapinoe is the cause of it.”

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This isn't the first instance of the U.S. women's national soccer team facing a divided response. Similar sentiments arose during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when the team lost to Canada in the semifinals. A pattern emerged, revealing that certain segments of the population root against the team due to its progressive stances and activism.

Despite the mixed reactions and divisive opinions, the U.S. women's national soccer team remains steadfast in their commitment to their beliefs. Megan Rapinoe's leadership and advocacy for equality continue to draw attention both on and off the field.

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