
via Getty
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 27: Megan Rapinoe of USA warms up prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between USA and Netherlands at Wellington Regional Stadium on July 27, 2023 in Wellington / Te Whanganui-a-Tara, New Zealand. (Photo by Maja Hitij – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

via Getty
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 27: Megan Rapinoe of USA warms up prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between USA and Netherlands at Wellington Regional Stadium on July 27, 2023 in Wellington / Te Whanganui-a-Tara, New Zealand. (Photo by Maja Hitij – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Last week, the USA suffered elimination from the ongoing Women’s World Cup. The three-peat just wasn’t meant to happen, was it? Since then, USWNT veteran Megan Rapinoe has been subject to serious criticism from quite an amount of people. Most recently, a famous American Talk Show host didn’t hold back while talking about Rapinoe. The host claimed that she wouldn’t miss her and her leadership.
The soccer veteran did make a major error during the penalty shootout against Sweden. Even Donald Trump had a few words to say after the game. The 38-year-old winger issued an indirect response and emotional statement, some days later.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Megan Rapinoe faces the heat after the early return from the World Cup
Just a few hours ago, Megyn Kelly went viral after speaking about Rapinoe. On her own talk show, she decided to address the topic. Without beating around the bush, she said, “She couldn’t execute”. Kelly accused her of being too focused on ‘wokeism’ ultimately turning into ‘losers’. The $45 million rich host was referring to her crucial miss during the penalty shootout. The soccer veteran took the fourth penalty and reality could have been quite different if she had converted it.
Kelly continued, “It was a miss, it was a loss, and it was the end of her career. And good. Goodbye. I won’t miss her or her leadership”. Days before Kelly’s comments, Donald Trump had quite a lot to say about USWNT’s elimination. He pinpointed the OL Reign legend’s grave mistake too. The former US President deemed his country’s loss as ‘shocking and totally unexpected’.

via Getty
Megan Rapinoe of USA and OL Reign during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between USA and Vietnam at Eden Park on July 22, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
He quoted, “Nice shot Megan, the USA is going to Hell!!! MAGA”. Without a doubt, the untimely elimination was quite unfortunate. In the last few days, the USWNT players have been active on social media. Just yesterday, Rapinoe posted a heartwarming message for her fanbase while seemingly indirectly responding to Trump’s comments. Let’s dive deeper.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Rapinoe’s ‘thank you’ statement to the fans
Megan Rapinoe has been part of the US soccer circuit for quite a few years. Just before the World Cup, she announced that she would be retiring at the end of the season. A three-peat and winning her final World Cup would have been quite a special achievement for her. But it just wasn’t meant to be. In her emotional message, she called the game ‘beautiful’ in its most ‘cruel’ moments.

via Getty
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 30: Megan Rapinoe #15 of the United States speaks at a press conference on July 30, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. The next game of the USWNT in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is against Portugal on August 1st. (Photo by Robin Alam/USSF/Getty Images)
She assured everyone that the USWNT was in ‘special hands’ like always. Further, it looks like she indirectly tried to address the US President’s comments without starting another controversy. She wrote, “Fighting with everything that we have, for everything we deserve, for every person we possibly can”. She concluded by stating that it was an ‘honor’ to represent the US.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY: American Athletes With Ownership in Soccer Teams
How do you feel about the constant criticism of Megan Rapinoe? Let us know in the comments below.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT