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Former USWNT goalkeeper Hope Solo has stirred the pot and then some with her latest take about her former teammate Megan Rapinoe. The Hope Solo Megan Rapinoe comments were made during Goal’s “All of US: The U.S. Women’s Soccer Show” podcast.
If you would like to listen to what Solo had to say I have provided the podcast and fast-forwarded to the question that leads to her comments. The audio begins with the host, Seth Vertelney, asking Solo about her thoughts on the USWNT’s activism and the growing opposition towards the team.
Solo began by saying how polarizing she thinks the USWNT has become.
“I think the rhetoric surrounding this team has been both divisive and inclusive. I guess it’s kind of where we are in politics in this day and age,” Solo said.
She talked about her support for the USWNT’s fight for equal pay but then switched gears on the topic of kneeling.
“I think the kneeling thing can be very divisive,” Solo said.
Then, the former USWNT goalkeeper dropped the quote that has everyone talking.
“I’ve seen Megan Rapinoe almost bully players into kneeling because she really wants to stand up for something in her particular way.”
Shots fired.
It’s worth noting that the first time Rapinoe chose to join former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in kneeling was on Sept. 4, 2016, with her club team in Seattle. The first time Rapinoe kneeled for a USWNT game was on Sept. 15, 2016.
Solo had her contract with the USWNT terminated on Aug. 24, 2016. This has skeptics wondering how exactly Solo “saw Megan Rapinoe almost bully players into kneeling” when she was no longer part of the team the first time Rapinoe started kneeling.
It’s possible someone on the USWNT told Solo about Rapinoe “bullying players into kneeling”, however that is pure rumor at that point with nothing to back up that claim.
Not all the players on the USWNT have chosen to kneel, either. During the 2020 Olympics the USWNT — along with several other teams — would kneel prior to kickoff (not during the national anthem). Carli Lloyd chose not to kneel and stood prior to the bronze medal match.
The comments from Solo about Rapinoe were made on Aug. 10. Rapinoe has not responded publicly about what was said.
