All eyes will be on the United States women’s national team starting XI on Saturday ahead of the SheBelieves Cup semifinal vs. Japan. The elephant in the room is obvious. Will Korbin Albert start the game?
Under normal circumstances Albert starting in the midfield for the USWNT would be a no brainer. She was terrific for the team alongside Sam Coffey during the Concacaf W Gold Cup and broke her way into the starting XI.
Albert started on the bench for the shocking 2-0 group stage loss vs. Mexico. After that she was put in the starting XI for the next three games as the USWNT went on to win vs. Colombia, Canada and Brazil.
The 20-year-old has been impressing for her club team PSG too scoring a screamer in the Champions League.
✈️ From the other side of the pond ❗
Korbin Albert gives PSG breathing space in this tie.Watch the UWCL LIVE and FREE on https://t.co/ye55kUaVzk #UWCLonDAZN #NewDealforWomensFootball pic.twitter.com/vqgIhe9hbW
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) March 28, 2024
Albert’s performances on the field should lock her in as a starter.
Interim head coach Twila Kilgore has a tough call to make. Does Albert’s off-field controversies warrant her being benched?
USWNT captain Lindsey Horan and star striker Alex Morgan spoke about Albert’s anti-LGBTQ+ social media reposts with the press on Wednesday. Horan said that Albert didn’t uphold the standard of the USWNT while Morgan said there had been internal conversations.
No punishment has been announced for Albert who remains on the SheBelieves Cup roster. Kilgore echoed Horan and Morgan’s thoughts but said Albert will be available for the tournament.
Twila Kilgore did open her #USWNT media avail briefly addressing Korbin Albert. Stayed pretty high level, echoed Morgan and Horan from yesterday.
Can USSF discipline social media activity? It's unclear. https://t.co/fDrt0CwEDu pic.twitter.com/57giOH4VQ2— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) April 5, 2024
There have been some calls against Albert's inclusion in the USWNT squad as Utah Royals goalkeeper Carly Nelson said that allowing Albert to play is wrong.
As a queer player playing a sport - how are we not talking more about Korbin Albert being called into camp after demonstrating homophobic and transphobic actions? Her actions are creating an unsafe space for lgbtqia+ players. A thread:
— Carly Nelson (@thereal_icarly) April 4, 2024
Korbin epitomizes what the LGBTQIA+ community continuously has to fight against. The US Soccer Federation continuing to give her a platform, diminishes the safety and comfort of queer players.
— Carly Nelson (@thereal_icarly) April 4, 2024
It’s sending a message that the Federation does not prioritize the creation of safe spaces for trans and gender-diverse players. This lack of prioritization to protect trans and gender diverse players - undermines efforts to promote inclusivity and respect.
— Carly Nelson (@thereal_icarly) April 4, 2024
The USWNT’s game vs. Japan will be played in front of a massive crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. It’s been reported from the U.S. Soccer Federation that over 48,000 tickets have been sold.
The semifinal kicks off at 12:30 p.m. ET.
