“We Celebrate That Difference” – Megan Rapinoe Says USWNT Takes Pride in the Diversity of the Team as Players From Different Cultures Come Together for the World Cup

Everyone is eagerly awaiting the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup. Qualified nations around the world will be looking to win the prestigious tournament. Last year’s champions, the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) will also be looking to go the extra mile this year. In fact, the team’s star player, Megan Rapinoe believes this year’s tournament is quite different.

The ladies are eager to create history and bring home yet another golden cup. Interestingly, the team has also made strides in the soccer world after announcing this year’s roster. Subsequently, Rapinoe addressed how the upcoming tournament’s roster symbolizes pride for the team.

Megan Rapinoe reveals pride in USWNT team

Apparently, this year’s roster is one of the most diverse squads in the history of U.S. soccer. The 23-player lineup consists of a remarkable total of seven Black women and two Mexican Americans, setting a new record. Among the team members, three players identify as gay, as well as three others who become mothers since the previous World Cup.

Moreover, teenage sensation Alyssa Thompson is a mix bit of everything, with Black, Filipina, Peruvian, and Italian heritage. Likewise, Rapinoe took the opportunity to address such a diversified squad. “It’s something our team takes a ton of pride in,” she said. “One of the greatest strengths that this team has is that we are all different. And we celebrate that difference.”

Surprisingly, Rapinoe played her first 2011 World Cup with just one Black and one Latino player. Seemingly, U.S. soccer president, Cindy Parlow Cone, also talked about this year’s roster. As stated by the Los Angeles Times, she said, “Our hope is that this group of diverse players really inspires the next generation of players, executives, coaches, referees from all backgrounds.”

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Indeed, this year’s World Cup tournament is quite special for the USWNT. Not only are they coming with a win in their fight for equal pay, but also have a historic squad. But the question is, can they clinch a three-peat?

Can USWNT achieve a three-peat?

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is of utmost significance for the USWNT. They have won the previous two rounds of the tournament, i.e., in 2015 and 2019. Therefore, they have a major chance to create history by winning this year’s World Cup and clinching a three-peat. However, the task is not as easy as it seems to be.

The WNT is in contention to face some tough sides in the tournament as other nations also look to put in the extra effort. But, looking at Vlatko Andonovski’s squad, they have a fair chance to write their names in the history books. The mix of veterans like Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, along with youngsters like Trinity Rodman adds more strength to the fire. It remains to be seen how they manage to pull it off.

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What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.