US women’s soccer stars remain mostly silent during anthem at World Cup opener as Vietnam players proudly sing their anthem with hands over hearts
One critic claimed the ‘ugly Americans’ were ‘showing their true colours’ Many noted that the Vietnamese players all sang their national anthem Newstimesuk.com provides all the latest international sports news
Most of the U.S. women’s soccer team was silent during Friday’s World Cup opener in New Zealand under The Star-Spangled Banner, prompting critics to boo the players for a perceived lack of patriotism.
Before beating Vietnam 3-0, to open Group E play, 6 of the 11 starting players opted to put their arms at their sides or behind their backs instead of putting their hands over their hearts. Meanwhile, five others put their hands over their hearts, including three — Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naher and Lindsay Horan — who also sang the national anthem.
On the other hand, Vietnamese women are seen singing their music with their hands on their chests.
“Ugly Americans are showing their true colors again,” wrote one on Twitter. ‘They could learn a thing or two from Vietnam.’
‘Total disrespect to USA!!’ Another one has been added. ‘Ban them and get players proud to represent their country.’
USA players line up for the national anthem ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup
Vietnamese women are seen singing their songs with their hands on their chests
‘They play our national anthem!’ Yet, another fan tweeted. ‘See how all the other teams react when they play!’
Critics have continued to scrutinize the behavior of US women during the anthem after former team captain Megan Rapinoe knelt to protest racist police brutality that began in 2016.
Rapinoe, now playing in her final World Cup, also said in 2019 that she would ‘never put my hand over my heart’ and ‘never sing the national anthem again.’
All but one player knelt in protest before a 2021 game against Australia, but before another game that year the team was accused of turning their backs on the flag and falsely accusing a World War II veteran.
The reigning World Cup champions were seen standing at attention as 98-year-old Pete Dupre played a rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner before their 4-0 Olympic-sendoff win in July 2021 in Hartford, Connecticut.
Some US players put their hands over their hearts while singing the national anthem
Alex Morgan (centre) is pictured with his hand over his heart during Friday’s anthem
While some players turned to face the flag, others, like Kristen Press, faced Dupree. Many had their hands over their hearts, such as vice-captain Alex Morgan, while another vice-captain, Rapinoe, had his hands behind his back.
Photographs and video footage show that players who turned away did so to face the Stars and Stripes flag at the far end of the stadium.
Regardless, critics on social media accused the American players of attacking Dupre, the country, or both.
For the game, Sophia Smith and captain Lindsay Horan both scored as the U.S. cruised to a relatively easy win over Vietnam on Friday.
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