Megan Rapinoe has expressed her views regarding the recent performance of the U.S. men’s soccer team in the World Cup. She attributed part of their struggles to President Donald Trump’s involvement, which she believes disrupted the team’s underdog spirit.
During an interview with Desi Lydic on “The Daily Show,” Rapinoe discussed the impact of a red card awarded to U.S. player Folarin Balogun in their Round of 32 match. Although the red card was later reversed, Trump’s call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino for a review added tension. “Certainly not well, it didn’t give them the boost,” Rapinoe commented on the situation.
“I feel like they had the underdog kind of vibe going, and then you-know-who got involved,” Rapinoe remarked, noting that the team seemed thrown off their game.
Former professional soccer player Rapinoe watched the tournament closely. She commented that the U.S. men’s team appeared to be under pressure, especially with Belgium being a formidable opponent.
The White House spokesperson, Davis Ingle, praised Trump’s role in organizing the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting the economic benefits it generated. Despite this, Rapinoe maintained that the involvement was a distraction.
On her podcast “A Touch More: The Beautiful Game,” Rapinoe spoke of the challenges the team faced, including public discourse with the president. Rapinoe emphasized the added pressure on players who were not accustomed to such distractions.
LA Galaxy coach Greg Vanney described the U.S. team as “too naive,” explaining challenges faced by players like Christian Pulisic.
The controversy following the red card and the resulting “outside noise” affected the team’s focus. Balogun admitted to CBS that returning to the team amidst such controversy was nerve-wracking.
The U.S. men’s team ultimately lost to Belgium in the Round of 16.
Leave a Reply