TheQuartering [8/7/2023]
After Megan Rapinoe laughed at missing a penalty at the Women’s World Cup, social media was set ablaze with criticism of the soccer veteran but the witch hunt seemingly hasn’t spread to the streets of America.
Rapinoe, 38, missed a crucial spotkick in a penalty shootout against Sweden, which the USWNT eventually lost to be knocked out, signaling the end of her final World Cup game with the Stars and Stripes.
The winger took USA’s fourth penalty in the shootout to give her team a 4-2 lead in the shootout but blazed her shot high over the crossbar.
As she jogged back to the halfway line, she was – much to the confusion of fans watching back home – smirking and laughing to herself, which left fans on social media enraged.
It came after the USWNT also sparked backlash as a majority stayed silent during the national anthem throughout all four of its games Down Under.
However, way from social media, their fellow countrymen appeared to have a little more sympathy, as DailyMail.com spoke to supporters in New York city about what they really think about Rapinoe.
‘I think she’s a great athlete,’ one supporter told DailyMail.com on Monday. ‘I think what she stands for and what she represents means a lot to the soccer community.
‘I think what she’s had to face, especially after the events of the last game, definitely seeing the criticism online, must hurt, I can’t imagine being in her position. Especially with her she’s the face of an equal pay movement. To spearhead something like that it’s super impactful. I really empathize with her.’
The young man suggested that US soccer fans saw Rapinoe as any easy target to direct their frustration due to the messages she has stood for off the field.
‘For athletes in any sport, when you miss a penalty kick like that it’s tough, and you get criticized,’ he added.
‘Especially on the world stage, you’re in the spotlight, so how she’ll handle it will show. I definitely believe in her and think she’s doing good.
‘A lot of people have analyzed it as her spearheading the equal pay movement and throughout it she’s become a target of criticism. And, when you’re a target, people look for any chink in the armor.