United States (Women's Football)

Megan Rapinoe has criticised the International Olympic Committee for their clampdown on athletes protesting at the forthcoming 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. 

Speaking to TSN's Mike Beauvais, the United States women's national soccer team superstar said the IOC's ruling is "backwards," and the committee have misplaced fears:

"It shows me that they're scared about the wrong things and that they're not actually focusing on, or even thinking about or committed to, protecting the individual's rights or protecting the rights of people who are underrepresented or minorities or looking at all to hold, not only different Olympic committees, but just countries to the highest standard that they're then going to hold all of the athletes to."

Rapinoe, who began kneeling during the national anthem in solidarity with NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016, had recently spoken out about the new guidelines which will be enforced when the competition begins on July 24.

The 34-year-old let her opinion on the IOC's stance be known via an Instagram post (h/t The Athletic's Meg Linehan):

https://twitter.com/itsmeglinehan/status/1215739951872167946

The Olympic Charter's Rule 50 forbids athletes from making a protest on the field of play, in the Olympic village, at medal ceremonies and during the opening and closing ceremonies. However, this doesn't appear to ban individuals from making any form of comment using other mediums. Social media isn't included in the rule.

Activism has occurred at previous Olympics, with athletes taking a stand against a host of social and political issues.

One of the most famous instances occurred when United States sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos famously raised their fists in unison on the 200-metre sprint podium in 1968 in Mexico, using their Olympic platform to protest against human rights violations in the USA and globally.

The IOC banned both athletes as a result of their actions, and it's possible this could be the punishment if individuals attempt a similar protest in Japan.

On Thursday, the International Olympics Committee banned protesting while on the field of play, in the Olympic Village and during medal and other official ceremonies for the upcoming 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo.

United States women's national soccer team midfielder Megan Rapinoe issued the following response on Instagram on Friday:

Megan Rapinoe responds to the IOC banning protests at the Olympics: “We will not be silenced” pic.twitter.com/69PljKC8u5

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 10, 2020

Rapinoe, who won Sports Illustrated's 2019 Sportsperson of the Year award, helped lead the USWNT to its second straight World Cup win last summer, scoring six goals.

She has called herself a "walking protest," per Henry Bushnell of Yahoo Sports.

She kneeled during the national anthem to protest racial injustice prior to a 2016 friendly against Thailand. She has also expressed her opinions on United States President Donald Trump, calling him "sexist," "misogynistic," "small-minded," "racist" and "not a good person."

As Bushnell wrote, Rapinoe has "become a staunch advocate for LGBTQ rights and pay equity, partnering with nonprofits and sitting at roundtables with Hillary Clinton."

The IOC's rules have received staunch criticism. Nancy Armour of USA Today called the decision the "height of hypocrisy."

"IOC leaders, president Thomas Bach in particular, have crossed that supposed bright line separating the Olympics from politics so often that it's no longer visible," Armour wrote.

The line between politics and sports has been crossed numerous times in past Games.

In 1968, John Carlos and Tommie Smith raised their fists during the U.S. national anthem while on the medal podium following the 200-meter dash in protest of the treatment of African Americans.

Eleven members of the Israeli Olympics team were killed in 1972 by Black September, a militant group that sought Palestinian independence.

The United States did not send an Olympic team to Moscow for the 1980 Games in the midst of the Cold War with the Soviet Union. The USSR kept its athletes home four years later when the Olympics were in Los Angeles.

The Tokyo Games are scheduled to take place from July 24 through Aug. 9. Last July, Avi Creditor of Sports Illustrated projected Rapinoe to be on the USWNT's 2020 Olympics roster.

United States women's national team and Chicago Red Stars midfielder Julie Ertz has been voted USA Soccer's 2019 Female Athlete of the Year ahead of Megan Rapinoe.

Ertz was announced as the winner on Friday:

In 2019, @julieertz was everywhere... ⭐️

📈 » https://t.co/avOYgl0Bep pic.twitter.com/ehczyh936x

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) December 13, 2019

The 27-year-old also won the award in 2017.

Per ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle, Ertz received 42 percent of the votes to finish ahead of fellow nominees Rapinoe, Alyssa Naeher, Alex Morgan, Rose Lavelle and Carli Lloyd.

Ertz said 2019 has been "a whirlwind of a year" and thanked her teammates, coaches and family:

"All of my teammates just had such an amazing year, and we all know it takes an entire team to win a World Cup or have a successful club season.

"We are all a sum of the people around us, so I want to especially thank [my husband] Zach and my family, all my coaches for the national team and the Red Stars, and all my teammates for their never-ending support.

"It's emotional to be recognized in this way, and it's a cherry on top of a beautiful 2019. It's incredible."

Jill Ellis, who managed the USWNT to their fourth FIFA Women's World Cup in the summer, said Ertz, who was also part of the World Cup-winning team in 2015, was a "critical part" of their success.

The midfielder started six of the Americans' seven games in France and scored in their 3-0 win over Chile in the group stage. Her biggest contributions came in protecting the United States' back line and pressing opponents when they had the ball.

When the USA were in possession, her eye for a pass and tireless running helped them get the ball forward. In the 474 minutes she spent on the pitch in the tournament, she covered 53 kilometers.

Her husband, Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, congratulated her on the award:

@julieertz PLAYER OF THE YEAR!!! EARNED NOT GIVEN!! pic.twitter.com/TiUtdIm2yD

— Zach Ertz (@ZERTZ_86) December 13, 2019

Despite being one of the USWNT's top performers throughout the year, it's something of a surprise for her to have beaten Rapinoe, who won the Golden Ball at the World Cup, was named FIFA's The Best Women's Player and won the women's Ballon d'Or.

The Athletic's Kieran Theivam and the Guardian's Suzy Wrack felt Ertz was under-represented at the latter, though:

What KT said. I’d have Ertz at least top five, if not higher. https://t.co/hgELhKQYQB

— Suzy Wrack (@SuzyWrack) December 3, 2019

Ertz is the 10th player to win this award on more than one occasion, though she's still some way behind record-holder Abby Wambach, who picked it up six times.

However, per Carlisle, she is the first recipient of the U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year—which she won in 2012—to win the senior award.

Time magazine has named the United States women's national soccer team its athlete of the year for 2019:

The U.S. Women's Soccer Team is TIME's 2019 Athlete of the Year #TIMEPOY https://t.co/POPdUBWsK6 pic.twitter.com/UX8GyRWJgV

— TIME (@TIME) December 11, 2019

The honor comes five months after Team USA won the FIFA Women's World Cup for the second consecutive time. The Americans went undefeated en route to the World Cup final, where they beat the Netherlands 2-0 to clinch the title.

While the team earned the award as a group, it features several individual stars, including Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd and Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner Megan Rapinoe.

More than 1 million people were on hand in New York City for the parade to celebrate the World Cup win, showing the impact the team had on the nation.

According to Sean Gregory of Time, Rapinoe is impressed by the fact that their win has continued to be a talking point months after: "It was like, Wow. We're in a movement, not a moment."

Despite winning consecutive Women's World Cups, the USWNT is in a constant battle to be treated equally to its male counterparts.

On the heels of the World Cup, the team took U.S. Soccer to court and was granted class-action status in the lawsuit, which aims for equal pay.

The issue is far from resolved, but the USWNT seems to be making inroads. Earning equal pay would be a massive win for women's soccer across the globe since female players are generally paid far less than men.

The USWNT's play would have been sufficient for the Time Athlete of the Year distinction, but the impact the players are making away from the game likely cemented their status.

United States women's national team captain Megan Rapinoe has been named Sports Illustrated's 2019 Sportsperson of the Year:

Presenting SI’s 2019 Sportsperson of the Year: Megan Rapinoe 👏

She owned the biggest moment of her life and silenced all the doubters, all while becoming a voice for so many across the world https://t.co/Djg6rbAqj3

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 9, 2019

The 34-year-old has enjoyed a successful year, winning the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France and also claiming the Golden Boot at the tournament with six goals and three assists.

Rapinoe also beat off competition from Lucy Bronze and Alex Morgan to win the 2019 Ballon d'Or, awarded to the year's best female footballer.

Rapinoe said she was honoured to win the award after the announcement was made:

https://twitter.com/mPinoe/status/1204064180350832640

Bleacher Report's David Gardner shared Rapinoe's Sports Illustrated front page:

SI’s 2019 Sportsperson of the Year is Megan Rapinoe, and her cover is pretty terrifichttps://t.co/qldWuX70qT pic.twitter.com/ZKWOd0Mh2X

— David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) December 9, 2019

While Rapinoe has enjoyed a successful 2019 on the pitch, she has also been vocal in her desire to speak out on some of the modern issues affecting football such as racism, sexism and homophobia.

After winning the Ballon d'Or in December, the 34-year-old called on male superstars Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo to help join in the fight for equality in football:

Megan Rapinoe calls for help from Ronaldo, Messi and Zlatan ✊ pic.twitter.com/73rPRKOEoj

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 4, 2019

She also attracted attention for saying she would refuse to go to the White House if the United States won the World Cup and encouraged her team-mates to take the same stance, per Jack Rathborn at The Independent.

The Reign FC captain has also shown support for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's protest against racial and social injustice in 2016 by refusing to kneel for the United States national anthem:

Megan Rapinoe says that she “had this immense sense of pride and responsibility” by kneeling during the national anthem pic.twitter.com/Q8zGUF05GJ

— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) July 10, 2019

The forward has said she can use her profile to try and affect change in the world:

"I'm more than an athlete, I'm more than just Megan Rapinoe the soccer player."

2019 Sportsperson of the Year, @mPinoe isn't afraid to use her platform as a vehicle for change and progress 🙌

Presented by @Symetra pic.twitter.com/fBWJULAWfU

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 9, 2019

Rapinoe is just the fourth woman to be named SI's 2019 Sportsperson of the Year unaccompanied and follows in the footsteps of Chris Evert, Mary Decker and Serena Williams.

United States women's national team star Megan Rapinoe has asked Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to help join in the fight for equality in football.

The 34-year-old told France Football (h/t Jonathan Johnson at ESPN FC) that the game's biggest male superstars need to be more involved in football's big issues.

"I want to shout: 'Cristiano, Lionel, Zlatan, help me! These big stars do not engage in anything when there are so many problems in men's football.

"Do they fear losing everything? They believe that, but it is not true. Who will erase Messi or Ronaldo from world football history for a statement against racism or sexism?"

Rapinoe won the Ballon d'Or, given to the year's best female footballer, on Monday to cap a stellar 2019:

.@mPinoe from @ReignFC is the 2019 Women's Ballon d'Or winner! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/gLANEXgENL

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) December 2, 2019

She was one of multiple captains on the United States team that won the FIFA World Cup in France in July and also won FIFA's The Best women's player prize in September.

Rapinoe is a powerful voice within the game and has said she feels like a "walking protest," per Henry Bushnell for Yahoo Sports.

She also chose to kneel during the United States national anthem in support of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's protest against racial and social injustice in 2016:

Megan Rapinoe says kneeling during the National Anthem was difficult, but not disrespectful, adding that she is hopeful there will be a day when she will not feel the need to kneel https://t.co/FSUr8pSaqo pic.twitter.com/FQhsvifXDg

— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) July 10, 2019

Rapinoe acknowledged that her Ballon d'Or win recognised her achievements both on and off the pitch, per Johnson.

"This Ballon d'Or rewards both," she said. "On the one hand, I am a good player. On the other, my activity away from the pitch brings me support as people understand I am acting to find solutions to our society's problems. The idea is to empower others to speak louder."

Ronaldo offered support to Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly in December 2018 after the defender suffered racial abuse against Inter Milan.

Per Football Italia, the Juventus star posted a message on Instagram that read: "I always want education and respect in life and football. No to racism any other type of offence and discrimination!!!"

Messi, Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic and many other top stars have all featured in a UEFA video aimed at combating racism, but none has been willing to speak out against such modern issues in the same way as Rapinoe.

United States women's national team star Carli Lloyd still has eyes toward the NFL. 

The two-time World Cup champion visited The Rich Eisen Show on Wednesday and said she "absolutely" wants to try to become an NFL kicker after the 2020 Olympics:

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1197276758027984905

The idea was first floated as a possibility when a video of Lloyd nailing a 55-yard field goal at a joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles went viral in late August:

Thank you to the @Eagles for having me out! Thanks to @JustinTuck @jake_elliott22 @MayorRandyBrown for the good time and tips! 🏈 🎯 #55yd pic.twitter.com/owZ16f46Th

— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) August 20, 2019

From there, the 37-year-old received "pretty serious" offers from at least two NFL teams to join their rosters for a preseason game. The identities of those teams have remained anonymous.

As Lloyd told Eisen, she has unfinished business on the soccer pitch to tend to first. The two-time FIFA Women's Player of the Year led the U.S. with 16 goals in 2019, including eight goals in the team's seven games following its World Cup victory in France this summer.

The team will resume activity in January for Olympic qualifying for the Tokyo Games, which begin July 24. 

Luckily for any interested NFL teams, Lloyd's kicking services should be available just in time for the beginning of the 2020 season.

The U.S. women's national team took care of Costa Rica 6-0 in their friendly at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, on Sunday night.

The Gals are now 2-0-0 under new head coach Vlatko Andonovski to wrap a wildly successful 2019 highlighted by capturing the 2019 Women's World Cup in France. They won't take the field again until 2020.

🎬 And that’s a wrap 🎬

12th time in 35 years that the #USWNT has won 20 or more games in a calendar year.

Thanks for joining us this year! pic.twitter.com/3SMYYw2SJe

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 11, 2019

In the 2019 finale, Carli Lloyd opened the scoring. The 2016 FIFA World Player of the Year found the back of the net in the fourth minute, staying hot from her brace in the Americans' 3-2 friendly defeat of Sweden on Thursday.

Lloyd bumped her total to 16 goals in calendar year 2019 to lead the team, including eight goals in seven games since the World Cup, according to the ESPN broadcast.

The opener was followed in the 10th minute by Morgan Brian with her second goal of 2019 and the U.S.' second goal of the match. Rose Lavelle assisted both goals:

The pass. The finish. 🤯@roselavelle-@CarliLloyd just putting on a clinic. pic.twitter.com/ncmyJT5xIC

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 11, 2019

Sweet moves followed by a sweet finish. #SundayFunday indeed. pic.twitter.com/ocdCJmdBPp

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 11, 2019

Lloyd was replaced at halftime by Lynn Williams, who ranked second in NWSL this season with 12 goals for the champion North Carolina Courage. She translated that into a brace for the U.S., her first international goals since 2017:

I swear @lynnraenie just zoomed 💨 right into the box and finished that perfectly. pic.twitter.com/SwWZW2NDcE

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 11, 2019

Kind of stats we love: first #USWNT career brace for @lynnraenie! pic.twitter.com/MHVShZCbWn

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 11, 2019

Andonovski toyed with the team's lineup elsewhere to start the game by giving 22-year-old Alana Cook and 24-year-old Margaret "Midge" Purce their first international caps. It marked the first time since 2016 that the U.S. started two debuting players, per the ESPN broadcast.

Cook and Purce started alongside veteran Becky Sauerbrunn and Emily Sonnett in the defensive back four.

Injuries to the likes of Megan Rapinoe, Kelley O'Hara, Crystal Dunn, Ali Krieger and Tierna Davidson as well as Alex Morgan's pregnancy opened up room for Andonovski to try out new faces with Olympic qualifying looming in the new year.

However, a familiar face scored in the 56th minute:

She wasn't leaving this game without one. The post tried to stop before but @ChristenPress won this battle. pic.twitter.com/zI1IG6qTbE

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 11, 2019

Andonovski utilized all six of his substitutions with Allie Long, Mallory Pugh, Jessica McDonald, Adrianna Franch and Andi Sullivan joining Williams off the bench.

     

What's Next?

The U.S. will begin Olympic qualifying in January 2020.

Team USA's first game under new head coach Vlatko Andonovski was a success thanks to a 3-2 victory over Sweden Thursday night in a friendly in Columbus, Ohio.    

Sweden made things far more interesting midway through the second half. The United States held a three-goal lead in the 75th minute before the defense cracked, allowing two scores in the span of four minutes to cut the deficit to one. 

This was the penultimate match of the year for the U.S. women before they reconvene in 2020 for the CONCACAF Olympic qualifiers. Thursday marked the first meeting between the two countries since the United States beat Sweden 2-0 in group play at the World Cup on June 20. 

Playing without the services of Megan Rapinoe, who is recovering from an injury, and Alex Morgan, who announced last month she's expecting her first child with husband Servando Carrasco, it was Carli Lloyd and Christen Press providing the offense for America. 

Lloyd needed just six minutes to give the United States a 1-0 lead with an assist from Press:

06.20.19 - USA goal in the third minute.
11.07.19 - USA goal in the sixth minute.@CarliLloyd + @ChristenPress doing the lord's work and giving us things we LIKE to see. pic.twitter.com/mwzq1XlP63

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 8, 2019

After playing a career-low 194 minutes during the World Cup, her fewest in four tournament appearances, Lloyd's future with the U.S. squad has been uncertain. She told reporters in September any decision about retirement would wait until a new coach was hired. 

"I'd love to play in another Olympics, if given that opportunity and a fair shot, and then we'll kind of go from there," she said. 

This was Lloyd's first audition for Andonovski, and it couldn't have gone much better. The New Jersey native tallied her second goal of the first half in the 31st minute to put the U.S. up 3-0:

That is just unfair! 😱

Carli Lloyd with a sublime chip makes it 3-0, USWNT! 🏌️♀️ pic.twitter.com/vahcuDhMr5

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 8, 2019

https://twitter.com/caitlinmurr/status/1192610323674488832

While Lloyd generated most of the offense, Press made her presence felt in a big way. In addition to her assist, she accounted for the second goal of the game in the 28th minute by blowing past Sweden's defense. 

Not only did we get that classic @ChristenPress speed 💨 and epic moves ⚡️on this, but it also marked her 50th international goal so overall we are blessed. pic.twitter.com/JCTs6c08ZE

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 8, 2019

Carrying a 3-0 lead into the second half seemed like it would be more than enough for the U.S. defense. Sweden managed just one shot on goal in the first 75 minutes, but the offense finally managed to break through and make things interesting. 

Anna Anvegard got the Swedish team on the board thanks to a terrific pass from Nathalie Bjorn in front of the United States goal in the 75th minute, and she took advantage of Alyssa Naeher's aggressiveness four minutes later:

Sweden get one back! Anna Anvegard turns home after a lovely move to get the visitors within 2. pic.twitter.com/Dbn2n6bQiu

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 8, 2019

Anna Anvegard again! And just like that, Sweden cut the USWNT's lead to 3-2. 👀 pic.twitter.com/PtOUNlEdwX

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 8, 2019

Clinging to a 3-2 lead, Team USA had a chance to extend their lead when Casey Short was fouled in front of the net. Lloyd took the penalty kick, but her attempt sailed over the net to keep Sweden within one in the 81st minute. 

The U.S. settled back in over the final 12 minutes to secure the victory, though it was much closer than it needed to be. There was a sizable edge on the stat sheet for the United States with 10 shots on goal and 16 total shots, compared to four and seven for Sweden, respectively. 

This is still a feeling-out process for Andonovski in his first game with a roster that didn't have some key players available. The United States has things to work on heading into its final friendly of the year on Sunday and preparations to make for the Olympic qualifiers starting in January.

    

What's Next?

Team USA will wrap up their 2019 schedule against Costa Rica at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville on Sunday at 8:08 p.m. ET on ESPN 2. Sweden are done for 2019 and will continue Euro 2021 qualification against Hungary in April.

A new chapter will begin in the history of the United States women's national team on Thursday, when they take on Sweden in the first match of Vlatko Andonovski's tenure.

The new manager steps in to replace Jill Ellis, who was able to steer the team to two FIFA World Cup triumphs during her time at the helm. Andonovski will want to build on the fine work done by his predecessor but also begin the process of stamping his authority on the team.

The MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, will play host to the encounter, which is the first of a doubleheader of friendly matches for the USWNT. They will be in action again on Sunday, when Costa Rica head to TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.

Here are the key broadcast details for the Sweden match and a preview of what should be a fascinating encounter.

                 

Date: Thursday, November 7

Time: 7:30 p.m. (ET), 12:30 a.m. Friday (GMT)

TV Info: Fox Sports 1 (U.S.)

Live Stream: Fox Soccer MatchPass (U.S.)

              

Preview

While these final friendly matches of 2019 will bring down the curtain on an incredible year for the USWNT, they also represent the start of a new cycle for the team and continued preparations for the Olympics in Tokyo next summer.

For Andonovski, the job is an intriguing one. While he does boast the best set of players in the world to work with, finding a way to make this team better under his guidance will be a challenge, as Ellis' players were renowned for their ability to shine on the big stage.

He spoke with Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated after being named as the USWNT boss:

Here in written form are all the best quotes from my SI interview with new USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski: On retaining @DawnScott06 & @GraemeAbel, his conversation with Alex Morgan on her pregnancy & the Olympics, his remarkable coaching journey & more https://t.co/FEGvIjlY0k pic.twitter.com/YnE1yC8WXt

— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) October 29, 2019

Star midfielder Rose Lavelle spoke of a refreshed atmosphere in the camp ahead of the Sweden clash, per Pardeep Cattry of Pro Soccer USA:

"It's like first day of school vibes, but it was fun. I feel like we're all in good spirits. Vlatko actually said in his opening meeting, 'What you guys have done is great, but now that's in the past and it's time to reset and refocus on what's next.'"

There will also be an opportunity for players to make an impact at the start of the new manager's tenure, as a number of key players will be absent. Megan Rapinoe is injured, while Alex Morgan is pregnant.

Per the team's Twitter account, there are some new faces in the squad, with Aubrey Bledsoe, Alana Cook and Imani Dorsey receiving their first call-ups to the senior team:

Some new faces, 😁 same energy 😤.
Back to work for the #USWNT in Columbus. pic.twitter.com/NGQND4vq6j

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 3, 2019

Football writer Caitlin Murray provided her thoughts on some of the players in line for their first caps over these friendly games:

https://twitter.com/caitlinmurr/status/1189948913433759746

Aside from that, there are 17 players from the World Cup squad involved in the 24-strong group, meaning Sweden will be in for a challenging 90 minutes in Ohio.

Following on from their third-placed finish at the World Cup, Sweden have continued to perform well, stringing together four victories in succession. In their most recent outing, they were 7-0 victors over Slovakia and are playing with a swagger under manager Peter Gerhardsson.

However, there will be a lively atmosphere in the stadium on Thursday, and the presence of a new coach will likely prompt some extra determination from the home players. As a result, the United States will surely turn in a polished performance.

                   

Prediction: USWNT 2-0 Sweden