Megan Rapinoe Attributes U.S. Men’s Soccer Exit to Trump

Megan Rapinoe recently expressed her view that President Donald Trump’s involvement negatively impacted the U.S. men’s national soccer team’s performance in the World Cup, suggesting it disrupted their underdog spirit.

During a segment on “The Daily Show,” host Desi Ridic inquired about the controversial red card issued to American player Folarin Balogun in the Round of 32 match, which led to his suspension. Trump had reportedly contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of that red card.

Riddick asked Rapinoe how she thought this situation influenced the men’s team. She responded, “It’s certainly not good. It probably didn’t give them the boost they expected from Trump’s involvement. I just felt like we really just threw them out of the game.” She added that the team initially had a strong vibe and a sense of being the underdogs, which might have been compromised by external pressures.

Rapinoe, who achieved significant success with the women’s national team, claimed the disruption caused by Trump’s actions felt overwhelming. She acknowledged, “I don’t really know the rules; I’m not a referee,” and suggested that the atmosphere affected the players. Her perspective leans toward viewing the atmosphere around the team as chaotic, filled with outside distractions.

White House Press Secretary Davis defended Trump’s record, asserting that his administration contributed to substantial economic benefits and organized a successful World Cup experience. However, Rapinoe maintained that Trump’s presence was more of a distraction than a help to the team.

Expanding on her thoughts, Rapinoe highlighted the challenges faced by younger players, who, unlike their older counterparts, might not be accustomed to handling such distractions. “In men’s soccer, just like in general, there aren’t many players stepping up to voice their opinions,” she noted, implying that this could have contributed to the team’s struggles.

In their match against Belgium, the U.S. men’s national team ultimately faced defeat following the red card incident. Balogun commented on the external pressures leading up to the game, noting it was a struggle to focus amid all the surrounding noise.

When reflecting on the team’s dynamics, he remarked, “There’s a lot of outside noise, and it’s difficult to avoid it.” This sentiment perhaps illustrates the blend of excitement and anxiety that surrounded the players during such a high-stakes event.