soccer

U.S. beats Netherlands 2-0 to win 4th Women's World Cup title

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By ANNE M. PETERSON

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had she done it off the field

But she did do it off the field:

That video was shot way back on Jan 25th in Los Angeles, USA. The video was a supplement to a magazine’s Women’s World Cup special issue that came out in May. She was asked a question by the interviewer if she's excited to go to the White House, so she answered. She didn't dwell on the topic; she moved on right away talking about soccer.

In the video interview, which was shot before the World Cup, Rapinoe told an Eight by Eight magazine reporter who asked if she is excited about going to the White House, “I’m not going to the f-cking White House… We’re not going to be invited.” The soccer star said she was more focused on playing well than on the opinion of her president. “We just expect to win every single game,” she said of the upcoming Women’s World Cup, quickly changing the subject.

If people didn't put so much attention to it, it would've just flown right by

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

To be honest, I can see the argument that this isn’t a popularity contest and what matters is winning. You can’t argue the US wasn’t the best side in the tournament.

Oh, most definitely. It really doesn’t matter how you slice it or excuses you make, these women were awesome players, no going around it. Congrats to them well played.

Given your not ACTUALLY pro-American, but only pro-Trump, that would mean they are pro-American, and you were hoping for a foreign power to win. No surprised there. Meanwhile, you disparage your countrymen and women, but claim to be "patriotic" for it. Sheesh. 

Sorry, you can be very patriotic, I bleed red, white and blue all day, I respect these women’s talents all the way, but most of their personalities suck. I didn’t like the last President at all, but I would have equally as agitated if they would have done the same thing to him, it’s just uncalled for.

Good on these women. Despite people like Wolfpack being angry that someone who does not support a wannabe dictator winning while he hopes his country loses, you have served your country far better than they ever could.

Oh, stop! No one said these women have to support the President, but as good as the game was, these women especially Rapinoe with her toxic comments ruined it for a lot of people and the sport. She’s representing the entire country, keep your opinions to yourself and play the game, don’t make it about yourself, had she done it off the field or on the couch of Jimmy Kimmel, go for it. There may be a certain segment that likes that, but there’s also an even larger segment that just wants to watch sports without the toxicity of politics.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

If they really don't like the contract they agreed to they can always quit.

It's in the courts right now, so the courts will have a say as well

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

In the last 3 years of US soccer fed, their women's national team has earned more ratings than their men's team

Good for them. That will be something they can use when they renegotiate their union contract in 2021. But until then they are bound by their current contract. So unless the current contract is being violated, which I haven't seen any claim is happening, they are out of luck.

If they really don't like the contract they agreed to they can always quit.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In the last 3 years of US soccer fed, their women's national team has earned more ratings than their men's team

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Even if everyone doesn't approve of or understand their form of protest, the right for anyone to protest what they see as an injustice is VERY American.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Wolfpack: "Very disappointing result. I was hoping the pro-American team would win."

Given your not ACTUALLY pro-American, but only pro-Trump, that would mean they are pro-American, and you were hoping for a foreign power to win. No surprised there. Meanwhile, you disparage your countrymen and women, but claim to be "patriotic" for it. Sheesh.

Good on these women. Despite people like Wolfpack being angry that someone who does not support a wannabe dictator winning while he hopes his country loses, you have served your country far better than they ever could.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

They support themselves

Is that not the American way?

But joking aside, your post is quite ugly, especially when you say, "They clearly hate America". I'm in a different country, and I'm sure my neighbors and myself would all disagree on what it means to "love ones country". But we all manage to get along and would rely on each other when we need help (except for the weird one who mutters about unpatriotic attitudes). I'd say attitudes like yours are a problem, for me anyway.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@zichi: All the players on the women's team are pro-American. Congrats to them.

They support themselves- they never seem to have anything good to say about the country that gave them so much. Remember- by their own thinking all that they achieved was due to the opportunities provided to them by American tax payers not based on their own hard work. So America gives them everything on a silver platter - the opportunity to win a World Championship - and the team captain can barely stand to listen to her own nations national anthem. And all her teammates back her selfishness. They clearly hate America and probably believed it was ever all that great to begin with. To be so ungrateful is truly astounding. Their self centered arrogance ticked off other teams and make a large section of their fellow citizens ashamed of them. Divisive and downright pathetic.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Athletes' salaries depend on the revenue they generate

I agree. I get a little upset about equal pay demands in the context of professional sport. It's basically a question of bums on seats. Point me to unequal pay between male and female bus drivers, plumbers, nurses, kitchen staff, software programmers, production line supervisors, care workers, and others who matter, and I will support equal pay demands.

Anyway, the US team did great. Well done!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Very disappointing result. I was hoping the pro-American team would win.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

That's only because they do deserve more money.

No. The 'deserve' what someone is willing to pay them. They accepted what was offered so that is what they 'deserve'. If they didn't think the compensation was enough they could have turned down the job. They have been complaining about the pay for years and yet year after year they keep agreeing to play for the money they are offered.

they should be suing US Soccer for a form of negligence.

They would have to show that there hasn't been an attempt to develop women's soccer in the US, rather than there just not being a significant interest and/or fan base.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Congratulations USA. The best team won.

Live on Fox TV, American supporters expressed their joy at victory:

https://twitter.com/skenigsberg/status/1147923363169480706

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The US won the world cup. Outside of results and the US captain's argument with the US president, I haven't heard or seen much of the World Cup.....And the US women want to be paid more. For games I didn't watch, for players I don't know, it's hard to justify a bigger payday.

I would argue that the Woman's program and development have not given the same amount of exposure and support as the men; 3 top tier leagues have folded since 2000 and US soccer focused on the sustainability of the Women's program, and only 1 media partner for the US league, globally. The women should not be suing US Soccer for equal pay, they should be suing US Soccer for a form of negligence.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

It's been great WC - I liked some matches more than watching men games (ups - am I sexist?)

At the final though I was a bit sad to see some American players tried to act like the men 'stars' catching their leg for the opponent's leg and pretending to be fouled. Something the women game is basically clean of and thus much more raw and enjoyable!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

As a European I was supporting The Netherlands,but saying this I want to congratulate to the women U.S. football team,they established a good footy tradition here.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Especially Megan Rapinoe, the pink-haired captain who emerged with the Golden Ball as top player, the Golden Boot as top scorer and a world-wide stature as a champion for gender equity.

According to the quote in this Japan Today article - maybe (it's quoted in the JT article above). But someone who states that a sexuality preference type (gay) is the only type that can win the womens world cup, does not come across as very gender equal to me. Doesn't that insult the hetrosexual players? From a champion for gender equality.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

@TheOriginalWing

it’s not only patronizing, it’s disingenuous. The women’s tournament has been around for years, and yet this is the first time that celebration has been questioned. Unfortunately this doesn’t fit in with the grand narrative that the USNWT has concocted about itself especially with regards to equal pay. Accordingly, women are to forever be victims, though at the same time self-empowered goddesses, and can do no wrong.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

I'm happy for the US women's team - tho I imagine we're going to hear more about the women's team deserving more money..

That's only because they do deserve more money.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Yubaru's observation and Jimizo's explanation are spot-on. The US team dominated the tournament, and good on them, and that's the biggest point here, clearly. That said, their attitude and manners were subpar, particularly vs the Thai team, and that criticism would be raised against any men's team acting similarly, American or not, champion or not. The "you're only saying that because they're women" crowd is patronizing.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

ok you can have your rules, while they have the championship

They are not rules and they are not mine. They are more like manners or conventions in football.

To be honest, I can see the argument that this isn’t a popularity contest and what matters is winning. You can’t argue the US wasn’t the best side in the tournament.

Fair enough.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

No, you have misunderstood football. Confidence is of course acceptable but arrogance and brashness is generally not, regardless of whether it’s the men’s or women’s game.

ok you can have your rules, while they have the championship

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I'm happy for the US women's team - tho I imagine we're going to hear more about the women's team deserving more money...

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Excellent result as expected. The team was strong throughout the tournament and was never really in any danger. They need to pay these women at least double what the men are getting. All they do is win win win.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Why no, Yubaru, you seem to have misunderstood. It is sexist when confidence and brashness - a common feature of many sports players and always seen as a positive

No, you have misunderstood football. Confidence is of course acceptable but arrogance and brashness is generally not, regardless of whether it’s the men’s or women’s game.

If we were talking about a female boxer being attacked for arrogance and brashness, you’d have a point, but not in this game.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

So anyone who complains against the women's team for their actions during the tournament is sexist?

Why no, Yubaru, you seem to have misunderstood. It is sexist when confidence and brashness - a common feature of many sports players and always seen as a positive - is renamed "arrogance" and turned into a whiny criticism.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Congratulations!

And don't worry about what President Trump says or does, no one cares.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

With confidence and brashness that some called even arrogant — triggering a backlash that the angry response was sexist — 

So anyone who complains against the women's team for their actions during the tournament is sexist?

7 ( +12 / -5 )

Netherlands never trailed in this WC also until the 61st minute and for just 29 minutes total, but that was enough

The US women backed up their talk by winning the "Euros" (played in Europe, the last 8 all Europeans save for US)

What the US Soccer Fed could do for itself, even if it's not required by the world federation, is to pool both the Fed income monies from their men's and women's soccer teams and divide them equally for a base, then award bonuses depending how well the teams do - the better they do, the better the bonuses (that way, it's also an incentive to be awarded for merit)

1 ( +2 / -1 )

A class act all the way. Despite being captain, winning both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball Rapinoe in her post game comments spent her time praising others then let Carly Lloyd be the first to hoist the trophy. True leadership.

The Dutch, especially their keeper, gave a great effort. They have much to be proud of.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

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