Throughout the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the United States Women’s National Team has taken a lot of criticism as the majority of the players on the team have chosen not to sing along while the national anthem is played before matches. Those players once again remained silent ahead of Tuesday’s match against Portugal, and they are once again facing criticism.
As the New York Post points out, the majority of the team – with the exception of a few players – remained silent while The Star Spangled Banner played during the pre-match ceremony on Tuesday.
“In keeping with the trend of the tournament, Alex Morgan, Julie Ertz and Lindsey Horan were seen on camera singing along, though most of their teammates did not. The coaching staff also stayed silent,” the New York Post reported.
“Although most of the US team has not sung along throughout the tournament, that is rare for international soccer, where players often sing with an instrumental version of their country’s anthem. The Portuguese team gave a full-throated rendition of ‘A Portuguesa’ on Tuesday.”
Obviously, this outraged many who took to social media to express their anger and frustration with the team.
If you wanted to lose 300M fans quickly, you’d do this….respectfully, you can protest by quitting the team and playing Club league. https://t.co/Ax2foKy9iA
— Jonny 🆗 (@Jonny__OK) August 1, 2023
Why didnt they kneel? It would sent the message further.
— M.I.L (@muwangz1989) August 1, 2023
Is this still going on? Thought it had finished weeks ago.
— Phil Kennedy (@philk111) August 1, 2023
Everything is political over there
— El j’efe👑 (@EdgarMujuro) August 1, 2023
I find it disgusting for the Women USA Soccer team to stand silent and not show respect for our National Anthem! To see the players of Portugal shout with pride for their country. Something has to change in America
— James Owens (@owens902) August 1, 2023
The United States women’s team continued their ‘silent’ protest of the national anthem before their Women’s World Cup match against Portugal as at least seven players refused to sing.
— Chris Njoku (@ChrisNjoku3) August 1, 2023
While this decision may anger people, the players are well within their rights to stand silently during the national anthem. In fact, a rule change back in 2020 actually allows them to kneel during the national anthem if they choose to do so.
