Character Kicker: Megan Rapinoe | Sports | '
"Megan Rapinoe is an irresistible force, on and off the court" – that's how the US Association writes in a brief portrait of his captain. You could not put it any better. On the lawn, Megan Rapinoe has been one of the exceptions to this World Cup so far: well recognizable by her dyed hair and her captain's armband, she takes responsibility when it counts. With two converted penalties against Spain, she led her team into the quarter-final against France.
Away from football, the waves around Rapinoe currently beat much higher. Finally, the captain of the US team with US President Donald Trump personally in the clinch. The reason for the public dispute was their announcement, in the case of the World Cup triumph "guaranteed not to come to the f *** ing White House".
Trump did not accept the escalation template. "She should not be disrespectful of our country, the White House or our flag, especially since so much has been done for her and her team," the 73-year-old tweeted. Rapinoe should "WIN first, then TALK," and do their job. He will invite the team in any case.
Controversial champion
Rapinoe will certainly not follow the invitation. The world champion and Olympic champion is a well-known activist against racism, homophobia and gender discrimination. The 33-year-old was the first white person and the first woman to join the "knee protest" of football quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016 against racism and police violence. She was allowed to play again in the national team, when she agreed to stand again at the US anthem. She still does not sing in protest.
Kneeling protest during the anthem: Rapinoe at the international match against the Netherlands 2016 in Atlanta
In other areas Rapinoe does not shrink from conflicts. Before the World Cup she took the FIFA to the grain. "To be honest, it's ridiculous and very disappointing," said the 33-year-old to start the women's final, which immediately clashes with two more finals of continental championships of men. The overlap, says Rapinoe, is symptomatic of FIFA, which does not use all of its weight in women's football. "There was progress, but I do not think it was a big change given the possibilities," Rapinoe said. "The incremental change we've seen is not enough."
Lawsuit against their own association
But Rapinoe also fights in court. Together with three teammates, she sued her own USSF association for gender discrimination and received the right to further legal action from a federal court. Meanwhile, the entire team joined their pioneer. So the US association has already made its own experiences with the "dispute" of Rapinoe. Now she should focus on the sporty. With the hosts from France, a very difficult task awaits on Friday (28.06.2019 at 21.00 CEST).
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