(Fox News) Former President Trump did not hold back how he felt after watching Megan Rapinoe and others on the U.S. women’s national team miss penalty kicks that ultimately led to an early exit in the round of 16 at the 2023 Women’s World Cup against Sweden.
Using the social media platform Truth Social, Trump bashed Rapinoe and the entire USWNT for being “hostile to America.”
“The ‘shocking and totally unexpected’ loss by the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team to Sweden is fully emblematic of what is happening to the [sic] our once great Nation under Crooked Joe Biden,” Trump wrote. “Many of our players were openly hostile to America – No other country behaved in such a manner, or even close. WOKE EQUALS FAILURE.
Former President Trump will stand trial on March 25, 2024 in connection with falsifying business records related to a 2016 hush money payment, a New York judge said Tuesday. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“Nice shot Megan, the USA is going to Hell!!! MAGA.”
The USWNT was going for World Cup history on all fronts – men’s, women’s and senior – as they had the opportunity to become the first team ever to win three straight World Cups after winning it all in 2015 and 2019.
However, this loss in the round of 16 is the earliest exit the U.S. has ever taken in a World Cup, which left many scratching their heads in disappointment.
SWEDEN STUNS USWNT IN PENALTIES; DEFENDING WOMEN’S WORLD CUP CHAMPS ELIMINATED
This World Cup run was also filled with some controversy, as the lack of national anthem singing from the team – it is customary in the World Cup to see different countries belting their national anthems before play – caused some to speak out against the USWNT.
Former U.S. men’s national team player and current broadcaster Alexi Lalas admitted the USWNT was “unlikeable to a portion of America.”
“Don’t kill the messenger. This #USWNT is polarizing. Politics, causes, stances, & behavior have made this team unlikeable to a portion of America,” Lalas tweeted. “This team has built its brand and has derived its power from being the best/winning. If that goes away they risk becoming irrelevant.”
United States’ Megan Rapinoe reacts after missing to score during a penalty shootout during the Women’s World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Sweden and the United States in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
Rapinoe’s critical moment came just after Sweden airmailed a penalty kick of their own over the net after, which brought the penalty kicks to a U.S. advantage at 3-2.
However, Rapinoe did the same exact thing, which is uncharacteristic given the 38-year-old has buried PKs numerous times in her career.
Rapinoe was not the only U.S. player to miss badly. Sophia Smith, playing in her first World Cup, missed the net to the right on the next U.S. shot. Then, Kelley O’Hara hit the right post with her shot, once again shocking everyone in the stands and everyone at home watching.
After the match, which was the last of the World Cup for Rapinoe’s career, she called it “dark comedy” that she missed her penalty kick.
“I think this team has always fought for so much more and that’s been the most rewarding part for me… To know that we’ve used our really special talent to do something that’s changed the world forever.” 🇺🇸❤️@USWNT‘s @mPinoe speaks with @JennyTaft after the game ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/NUx9Oku4mf
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 6, 2023
