Second verse, same as the first.
The US Women’s National Team again stayed largely silent during the national anthem at the World Cup, with most of the starting 11 refusing to sing along with “The Star Spangled Banner” ahead of its match against Portugal early Tuesday morning.
In keeping with the trend of the tournament, Alex Morgan, Julie Ertz and Lindsey Horan were seen on camera singing along, though most of their teammates did not. The coaching staff also stayed silent.
Although most of the US team has not sung along throughout the tournament, that is rare for international soccer, where players often sing with an instrumental version of their country’s anthem. The Portuguese team gave a full-throated rendition of “A Portuguesa” on Tuesday.
The US is seeking its third straight World Cup title, but has caused controversy at home with its treatment of the anthem throughout its dominance on the world stage.
Star forward Megan Rapinoe preemptively refused a White House trip ahead of the team’s 2019 victory, and began kneeling during the national anthem in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick all the way back in 2015.
In addition to a successful fight for equal pay, the USWNT has loudly supported progressive causes, with Rapinoe saying in a Time Magazine interview before this World Cup that transgender women should be allowed to compete in women’s sports.
“Now we care about women’s sports? That’s total bulls–t,” Rapinoe told Time. “And show me all the trans people who are nefariously taking advantage of being trans in sports. It’s just not happening.”
Rapinoe has come off the bench during this tournament and did so again on Tuesday.