The U.S. women’s national soccer team coach has dropped far-left “woke” player Megan Rapinoe from the lineup for the upcoming “SheBelieves Cup.”
The snub from coach Vlatko Andonovski dealt a dealt professional blow to Rapinoe, who is better known for her divisive politics than her soccer skills.
During last summer’s Tokyo Olympic Games, the Rapinoe-led team underperformed and limped home with a bronze after being the favorites for the gold medals.
In the first major competition since the Olympics, head coach Andonovski said he wanted to give the younger players a chance.
“All these players are very good players, we know that they’ve done so much for this team,” Andonovski said.
“But right now I want to give a chance to players like Sophia Smith and Mal Pugh and Catarina Macario, Ashley Hatch, players that have earned their spot on the national team or earn their spot back.
“I want to give them maximum minutes or whatever minutes they earn so we can evaluate every aspect of their game, in the training environment or game setting.
“It doesn’t mean that all these players that have done well in the past are just going to come back here in the next camp because they’ve done well a year ago or two years ago.
“There’s a reason why we’re not calling Mia Hamm or Julie Foudy in camp, right?
“So the same goes here: they need to perform, they need to play in their markets, they need to play well in their markets, and show that they can still contribute and be valuable for the national team,” he said.
USWNT SheBelieves Cup roster:
GOALKEEPERS:
Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit; 0), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage; 2), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 78)
DEFENDERS:
Alana Cook (OL Reign; 4/0), Abby Dahlkemper (San Diego Wave FC; 77/0), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars; 45/1), Emily Fox (Racing Louisville FC; 8/0), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign; 9/0), Kelley O’Hara (Washington Spirit; 148/2), Emily Sonnett (Washington Spirit; 63/0), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC; 199/0)
MIDFIELDERS:
Morgan Gautrat (Chicago Red Stars; 87/8), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyonnais; 108/25), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign; 68/18), Catarina Macario (Olympique Lyonnais; 12/3), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 33/4), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit; 2/0), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit; 22/2)
FORWARDS:
Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit; 4/2), Mallory Pugh (Chicago Red Stars; 67/18), Margaret Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 9/2), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC; 10/1), Lynn Williams (Kansas City Current; 45/14)
The 36-year old has seen a real decline in her performance on the field. https://t.co/gM9IsV4wY1
— The Western Journal (@WestJournalism) February 4, 2022
The Midterm Elections are coming up! Join me, @michelleobama, and @whenweallvote, in the fight against voter suppression. Together, with your help, we will change the culture around voting and increase participation in every election. pic.twitter.com/4qV7LD3ydO
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) January 31, 2022
