USWNT captains Lindsey Horan and Alex Morgan spoke to reporters Wednesday about teammate Corbin Albert’s controversial social media activity that surfaced last week.
Albert, 20, reportedly reposted content that appeared to be anti-LGBTQIA+ on his TikTok account, including one post about being gay and “feeling transgender.” It contained Christian sermons that claimed that the law was wrong and shameful.
The two captains addressed the situation in a statement Wednesday, calling what happened “very sad.”
“We just want to address the unfortunate situation regarding Corbyn that occurred this past week. We have worked very hard to maintain the integrity of this national team through an entire generation, but this We are very disappointed that standards were not upheld,” Horan said.
“Our fans and supporters feel like this is a team they can rally behind, and it’s definitely going to be very important for them to continue to feel heard and seen. It is important.”
Screenshots were also released showing Albert liking content like celebrating Megan Rapinoe’s Achilles tendon injury in the 2023 NWSL Championship Game, her last game before retiring.
“We support maintaining a safe and respectful space, especially as allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community,” Morgan said. “This platform has given us the opportunity to highlight causes that are important to us and that we will never take for granted.”
“One thing you need to know is we’ve never shied away from tough conversations within this team,” she added.
Neither Horan nor Morgan responded to questions from the media.
Rapinoe criticized her social media activity last week.
“For those of you who want to hide behind what you believe in, I have one question for you: Are you trying to make any type of space look safer, more inclusive, more whole, better? Are you bringing out the best in someone?” she wrote on social media.
Albert’s apology came after Rapinoe responded to reports of her social media activity.
“I would like to sincerely apologize for my actions on social media,” Albert posted on his Instagram Story last Thursday. “Liking and sharing posts that are offensive, insensitive, and harmful is immature and disrespectful, and was never my intention.
“I am truly disappointed in myself and am deeply sorry for the hurt I caused to my teammates, other players, fans, friends and anyone I offended.”
Albert started all three elimination stage games of the USWNT’s Concacaf World Gold Cup last month.
She, who also played for Paris Saint-Germain, scored a goal in her team’s 3-0 win over Hacken in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League just before Thursday’s apology.
