The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- Judith Benjamin
Megan Rapinoe continues to endure criticism after missing a penalty kick as the polarizing USWNT exited the women’s World Cup in the Round of 16 Sunday.
Rapinoe was one of two U.S. players to miss a penalty as Sweden handed the back-to-back reigning champs its worst-ever performance at the tournament. Prior to the tournament, the USWNT were the favorite to win it all.
The OL Reign midfielder announced she would retire from international duty following the tournament and has been the figurehead for the most controversial team representing the USA in recent memory.
Rapinoe’s hyper-liberal beliefs and attitudes – including an opposition to American patriotism and support of biological men invading women’s sports – have propelled her to villain No. 1 on the team for many conservatives and others across the U.S.
Outkick’s Tomi Lahren joined Clay Travis and Sean Hannity on Fox News Monday night to discuss the end of Rapinoe’s successful albeit controversial career.
Outkick’s Tomi Lahren (R) joined colleague Clay Travis and Sean Hannity on Fox News Monday
Megan Rapinoe caused both despair and glee from inside the United States with her PK miss
‘When Megan Rapinoe talked about the proudest moment in her career, she talked about fighting for equal pay for what I assume would be women,’ Lahren said.
‘But then out of the other side of her mouth, she said she has no problem with biological men competing against women. So, which one is it Megan? Do you want equality and fairness for women? Or does it only come to your own paycheck?
‘This woman is the epitome of selfish and she made it really hard to root for the United States and we all root for the USA.
‘Don’t get me wrong, even if it is Megan Rapinoe and others that decided to kneel for the national anthem. We still root for this country.
‘It would be nice though, if those women who wear the USA on their jerseys could love the country as much as we do, I don’t think that’s too much to ask for Sean.’
ESPN bizarrely ran a feature Sunday suggesting Rapinoe kneeling for the anthem and her critiques of the country were acts of ‘patriotism’, adding she knelt ‘because she loved America.’
Rapinoe was seen laughing following her penalty miss – and again while with family postgame – incensing some USWNT fans. The World Cup aside, she has been called out by Riley Gaines and others regarding her desire to allow biological men to compete against women.
‘I think it’s really rich for somebody like Megan, who is retiring to now say that she’s okay with the sport being absolutely ruined and taken over by what could be in the next several years,’ Lahren said.
After laughing immediately following her miss, Rapinoe cried after the US were knocked out
The 38-year-old (R) failed to inspire at the tournament and has long been a divisive figure
‘Many more biological men who decided they failed that their own sport category and decide their retirement plan is to play women’s sports. So I think that’s very rich. But here’s another thing to this.
‘You can be an activist, you can be an athlete activist. We see it with LeBron and we see it with many others across the NFL the NBA the MLB you name it, there are activists, but you have to be good.
‘And that’s where Megan lost and she fell on her face there. You have to be good if you want to be cocky and indulgent. And unfortunately, she missed the mark on more than one thing.’
