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‘We will never forget your disrespect’: Megan Rapinoe trolled for missing crucial penalty shootout at Women's World Cup

Megan Rapinoe's one bad kick has made her a villain for millions of Americans who are blaming her for the reason behind the historic loss

Updated on: Aug 7, 2023, 12:33:55 IST
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Megan Rapinoe's one bad kick has made her a villain for millions of Americans who are blaming her for the reason behind the historic loss. After Megan failed to clinch the goal, USWNT was doomed at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Melbourne and the loss turned the earliest exit ever for the US at a World Cup.

Megan Rapinoe missed her attempt in a penalty shootout against Sweden over the weekend (Fox screenshot)
Megan Rapinoe missed her attempt in a penalty shootout against Sweden over the weekend (Fox screenshot)

Megan, 38, had announced that she would be retiring from soccer after the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season concludes in October. "I mean, this is like a sick joke. For me personally, this is dark comedy. I missed a penalty," Megan said after the loss, according to Fox Sports. "This is the balance to the beautiful side of the game. I think it can be cruel and just not our day.”

Megan was seen crying on the field after missing the crucial penalty. With this, she played her last World Cup game for the USA.

‘She poisoned the entire team’

Media personality Megyn Kelly lashed out at Megan, slamming her for not being “on camera when they're doing the national anthem.” "Megan Rapinoe, she's the leader of all this... She's not a starter. So that's why she's not on camera when they're doing the national anthem, but she's behind a lot of this," Megyn said on her podcast the Megyn Kelly show. "She's (Rapinoe) poisoned the entire team against the country for which they play," Kelly added. “I don't know about you, but I'm not rooting for them. I'm not with them. I hope they lose...It's shameful. These girls are shameful. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.”

There is no dearth of criticism and brutal trolling that Megan is facing on social media at present. “No professional “athlete” can suck this hard. At a certain point of disgrace your pride steps in. The coach is forced to bench. I’m now 100% convinced Megan Rapinoe intentionally sabotaged Team USA. Real fans should be enraged,” one user wrote on X. Many others commented on the thread, with one user saying, “She scares me.” One user commented, “She smiled when she lost. Big pay day," while another wrote, “She should thank the Lord first and secondly the United States of America for all of the blessings she received in life. Ungrateful, overrated.” “Maybe she just doesn't want Team America to win?” one user commented.

Not the first time Megan Rapinoe came under fire

This is not the first time Megan caught herself in the eye of a storm. On earlier occasions, Megan had chosen not to stand for the national anthem before a soccer game. For instance, she knelt on the sideline during ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ before a 9-0 exhibition win against Thailand back in 2016. She apparently did this as a gesture to stand in solidarity with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, as well as others, who had been protesting social inequalities.

These examples are being cited yet again after the recent loss. “Dear Megan Rapinoe, We will never forget your disrespect. Sincerely, America,” a post on X reads.

  • Sumanti Sen
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Sumanti Sen

    Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

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