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Women's National Football

Megan Rapinoe Addresses Equal Pay, NCAA Disparities in Congressional Testimony

Mar 24, 2021
United States forward Megan Rapinoe (15) follows a play during the second half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer match against Argentina, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
United States forward Megan Rapinoe (15) follows a play during the second half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer match against Argentina, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

United States women's national team star Megan Rapinoe spoke Wednesday in front of the House Oversight Committee on the topic of gender inequality. 

Rapinoe explained how she has personally witnessed the disparities in player treatment and how resources are allocated between male and female athletes playing within the U.S. Soccer Federation system:

"The United States women's national team has won four World Cup championships. We've won four Olympic gold medals on behalf of this great country," she said. "We've filled stadiums, we've broken viewing records, we've sold out our jerseys, all the popular metrics by which we are judged."

"Yet despite all of this, we are still paid less than men—for each trophy, of which there are many, for each win, for each tie, for each time we play. Less."

Rapinoe went on to add USWNT players have collectively met every benchmark put before them.

"I feel like honestly we've done everything," she said, per The Guardian's Tom Lutz. "You want stadiums filled? We filled them. You want role models for your kids, for your boys, and your girls, and your little trans kids? We have that. You want us to be respectful? You want us to perform on the world stage?"

USWNT players filed suit against U.S. Soccer in March 2019, arguing not only did they receive lower pay than their USMNT counterparts but also unequal work conditions in areas such as travel and accommodations. The Wall Street Journal's Rachel Bachman wrote the disparity existed despite USWNT games generating more revenue than USMNT matches following the women's triumph in the 2015 World Cup.

Following a judge's decision in May that dismissed the players' equal pay lawsuit, they reached a settlement with U.S. Soccer on their unequal working conditions suit in December. However, the players are appealing the decision in the equal pay suit.

The discussion around gender inequality in sports rose to the forefront again last week prior to the start of the NCAA women's basketball tournament, when photos and video of the fitness area provided to the women significantly differed from that of the space set up for the men's players:

"For an organization like the NCAA, similar to the U.S. Soccer Federation, that's a non-profit, it's just absolutely unacceptable," Rapinoe said, per Yahoo Sports' Henry Bushnell.

"To say that you value your student-athletes ... [and] to have your women's players show up for one rack of dumbbells is just completely unacceptable. Someone, at some point, thought to themselves that was OK."

NCAA vice president Lynn Holzman acknowledged the problem as photos and videos of the weight room went viral, and the NCAA brought in more workout equipment to remedy the problem.

NBC Sports' Alex Azzi noted the disparities between the men's and women's tournaments extend beyond the weight room equipment. Likewise, notable figures in women's basketball like South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer and former Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw voiced their criticism of the organization, arguing the situation was emblematic of longstanding problems.

Megan Rapinoe Says USWNT Shirt Represents Push for Equal Pay Amid Legal Battle

Mar 16, 2021
United States forward Megan Rapinoe (15) follows a play during the second half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer match against Argentina, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
United States forward Megan Rapinoe (15) follows a play during the second half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer match against Argentina, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

When she steps onto the pitch, representing the United States women's national team carries a larger meaning for Megan Rapinoe.

Rapinoe explained on ESPN's SportsNation how the equal-pay lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation is often on her mind while she suits up for the USWNT:

"I would much rather be spending my time doing absolutely anything else other than fighting the federation all the time for something I feel like I deserve, but that is part of it. For me, when I pull on the shirt, I'm not thinking about the federation. I see them [U.S. Soccer executives] pulling up to the game and I think: That's cute, that's nice. I feel like I pull on this shirt for equal pay and for the fans and for kids who want to be in my position. So that never feels in conflict."

Members of the USWNT filed suit against U.S. Soccer in March 2019, alleging they received unequal pay and treatment relative to their male peers.

Beyond the underlying purpose of the lawsuit, many criticized the perceived discrepancy considering the women's team was on its way to winning a fourth World Cup. The United States men's national team, meanwhile, last made the quarterfinals in 2002 and failed to even qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

According to the Wall Street Journal, this success has led to the U.S. women earning more revenue for their matches than their male counterparts. 

At one point, the acrimony between the USWNT and U.S. Soccer was such the players wore their warm-up shirts inside out prior to a SheBelieves Cup match against Japan last March.

In December, the two sides reached a settlement regarding working conditions for the players, affording them the same accommodations, travel and personal support granted to the USMNT.

The settlement didn't cover the unequal-pay portion of the suit after a federal judge ruled in U.S. Soccer's favor last May. Molly Levison, a spokesperson for the USWNT players, said they intend to appeal the ruling following the settlement.

USWNT vs. Argentina: Odds, Time, Live Stream for 2021 SheBelieves Cup

Feb 24, 2021
United States forward Christen Press (23) controls a ball in front of Brazil defender Bruna (3) during the second half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer match, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
United States forward Christen Press (23) controls a ball in front of Brazil defender Bruna (3) during the second half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer match, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

The United States women's national team can lock up the SheBelieves Cup with a victory against the lowest-ranked nation in the four-squad tournament. 

The Americans, who are No. 1 in the FIFA world rankings, take on joint-31st Argentina in the competition finale on Wednesday at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida. 

Vlatko Andonovski's team defeated Canada and Brazil to top the table with six points. The only way the USWNT can lose first place is if it falls unexpectedly to Argentina. 

However, an upset victory does not seem to be in the cards for the South American side, which has not beaten the USWNT in three previous meetings and carries a minus-four goal differential into the game.

          

USWNT vs. Argentina Info

Date: Wednesday, February 24

Start Time: 7 p.m. ET 

TV: FS1

Live Stream: FoxSports.com or Fox Sports app

Odds: Updated odds can be found on DraftKings Sportsbook

      

Preview

The USWNT has come through two hard-fought wins against Canada and Brazil, both top-10 teams in the world and leading contenders to win gold at the Summer Olympics. 

The host nation has not conceded a goal in the tournament, either, and the expectation is that it will do the same on Wednesday. 

Argentina, who replaced Japan in the tournament, was outscored 5-1 across its games against Brazil and Canada, but its defense did improve in the second game by holding the Canadians to a single tally.

While that achievement is notable, Canada is without a handful of its top stars, including Christine Sinclair and Kadeisha Buchanan, due to injuries and clubs not releasing players. 

Wednesday's match against the USWNT will test the South Americans' defensive mettle once more, and it may be a tough task with it being the third game in less than a week. 

The USWNT players on the field against La Albiceleste will have two motivating factors: The first will be to complete a perfect tournament run, while the other is earning spots on the Olympic roster. 

Only 18 players will be chosen by Andonovski, and with so much depth across the talent pool, it will be hard for even the most experienced players to make the squad for Japan. 

USWNT defender Tierna Davidson outlined just how competitive the Olympic roster fight is, per Julia Poe of the Orlando Sentinel.

"It is very daunting to consider how many players that are so high quality in this environment, and how few players make an Olympic roster," she said. "It's hard to think about it and to place myself among the 18."

The USWNT squad has lost one member after Catarina Macario was recalled by Lyon in a deal that was prearranged between the French club and the international team. 

Andonovski could choose to use some rotation in attack after he started Christen Press and Alex Morgan and brought Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe off the bench against Brazil.

He could also give No. 1 goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher a rest and hand Jane Campbell or Casey Murphy a chance to shine. 

Regardless of which players make the starting 11 on Wednesday, the USWNT should be able to roll against a much weaker opponent to wrap what it hopes will be the first of a few trophies in 2021. 

          

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from USSoccer.com.

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Crystal Dunn on USWNT Standing for Anthem: We're 'Past the Protesting Phase'

Feb 21, 2021
FILE - United States defender Crystal Dunn (19) moves the ball against Colombia during the second half of an international friendly soccer match in Orlando, Fla., in this Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, file photo. The 28-year-old U.S. national team defender has grown more confident in her abilities and her status on the U.S. women’s national team. She’s also become empowered in her activism as a Black woman. So much so that she even proclaimed herself the
FILE - United States defender Crystal Dunn (19) moves the ball against Colombia during the second half of an international friendly soccer match in Orlando, Fla., in this Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, file photo. The 28-year-old U.S. national team defender has grown more confident in her abilities and her status on the U.S. women’s national team. She’s also become empowered in her activism as a Black woman. So much so that she even proclaimed herself the

Crystal Dunn explained why members of the United States women's national team chose not to kneel during the playing of the national anthem prior to a 2-0 win over Brazil on Sunday.  

In Dunn's view—and the view of her teammates—the USWNT has largely achieved what it could by protesting during the anthem, per ESPN's Jeff Carlisle:

"I think those that were collectively kneeling felt like we were kneeling to bring about attention to police brutality and systemic racism. I think we decided that moving forward we no longer feel the need to kneel because we are doing the work behind the scenes. We are combating systemic racism. And we never felt we were going to kneel forever, so there was always going to be a time that we felt it was time to stand. I think we're all proud that we are doing the work behind the scenes and it was just a game that we felt we were ready to move into the next phase and just continuously fight for change."

When Colin Kaepernick brought the protests to life in August 2016 by kneeling during the anthem, it was so effective because it was a subversive act. The reaction inside the NFL spoke to how much he struck a nerve.

During a roundtable discussion with B/R Football last June, Dunn said she wanted to kneel as well in 2016 but was concerned about possible consequences she would face:

Years before widespread protests across the country following the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, Kaepernick created a conversation about police brutality and structural racism. 

Now, the key is continuing the progress that has been made, albeit in different forms.

"Even though we are choosing to stand, it doesn't mean that the conversations go away, or they stop," Dunn said. "It's all to say that we are now, I think, ready to move past the protesting phase and actually move into putting all of the talk into actual work."

WNBA players demonstrated one way when they publicly endorsed Raphael Warnock in the Georgia Senate race. Warnock ultimately defeated Kelly Loeffler, who owns a stake in the Atlanta Dream, in a runoff election.

Christen Press, Megan Rapinoe Lift USA Past Brazil in 2021 SheBelieves Cup

Feb 21, 2021
United States forward Christen Press (23) follows a play during the second half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer match against Canada, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
United States forward Christen Press (23) follows a play during the second half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer match against Canada, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Brazil, like Canada before them, gave the United States women's national team all it could handle at the SheBelieves Cup. 

And just like Canada, Brazil still lost.   

The USWNT picked up a 2-0 victory Sunday, led by a first-half goal from Christen Press and a second-half clincher by Megan Rapinoe.

Press opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a beautiful turn and strike from a United States counter:

But Brazil came into its own as the first half progressed, giving the United States some issues with the team's aggression and pressing. As always, the Brazilians were also dangerous in space when they could quickly counter, though the American defense held.

It was clear that the early goal hadn't rattled Brazil. The players weren't intimidated. The question was whether they could muster a second-half score of their own. 

They could not. Instead, it was the legendary Rapinoe to put a bow on the proceedings:

https://twitter.com/caitlinmurr/status/1363608540967890946

There were goals in this game for Brazil, who will be kicking itself over chances left wanting, and questions for the United States to answer in defense. Still, a 2-0 win against Brazil is a great result. 

The USWNT will conclude its SheBelieves Cup campaign against Argentina on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET. A win or draw will clinch the cup for the country—and even a loss may be enough, depending on how goal differential shakes out—which would be its fourth SheBelieves Cup triumph since the inception of the tournament in 2016 and second in a row.

Brazil will face Canada earlier that same day at 4 p.m. ET. 

USWNT vs. Canada: Start Time, Live Stream, More for 2021 SheBelieves Cup

Feb 18, 2021
United States forward Megan Rapinoe (15) moves the ball past Colombia defender Carolina Arias, right, during the second half of an international friendly soccer match, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
United States forward Megan Rapinoe (15) moves the ball past Colombia defender Carolina Arias, right, during the second half of an international friendly soccer match, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

The United States women's national team continues its progression toward the Olympics with three games in the SheBelieves Cup over the next week.

The USWNT kicks off the annual four-team tournament against continental rival Canada at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday. Brazil and Argentina are the other participants in the competition.

Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd are among the top names on the USWNT roster for the tournament, and it is expected to beat a Canada side without some of its top players.

Canada's roster is not as stacked as it would be for the Olympics because of injuries and some club teams' refusal to release their players. Christine Sinclair, Kadeisha Buchanan and Jordyn Huitema are among Canada's notable absences.

The USWNT will not be at full strength, either, with the injured Tobin Heath and Sam Mewis not in the squad. But it still has enough firepower to open with a victory and conquer the other opponents in the tournament.

                     

USWNT vs. Canada Info

Start Time: 7 p.m. ET 

TV: FS1

Live Stream: FoxSports.com or Fox Sports app

             

Preview

The returns of Morgan, Rapinoe and Lloyd to the USWNT camp should boost the already high quality of the USWNT. Morgan had her first child in 2020, Lloyd recovered from an injury and Rapinoe spent some time away from the squad.

Rapinoe scored twice in the second of two January friendlies against Colombia, while Lloyd chipped in with an assist in each of the two contests. The USWNT won those friendly matches by a combined 10-0, but the three-game gauntlet of Canada, Brazil and Argentina represents a step up in quality.

Since the USWNT has already qualified for the Olympics, the SheBelieves Cup is one of the best opportunities for head coach Vlatko Andovoski to test his squad at a high competitive level before the summer tournament.

While the Americans have had the chance to play friendlies recently, Canada hasn't hit the pitch since March 2020 for a 2-2 draw against Brazil in the Tournoi de France. In October, the Reds hired a new head coach in Bev Priestman, who joined from England's women team.

The absences of Sinclair, Buchanan and others dampens the hype around the rivalry matchup just a bit since Canada will not be at full strength. However, it is a good opportunity for the Canadians to test some of the newer players in the squad. Eight of the 23 women on the SheBelieves Cup roster have fewer than 10 international appearances.

Look for the midfield duo of Sophie Schmidt and Desiree Scott, who have 355 caps between them, to be the driving forces over the SheBelieves Cup. With no Sinclair up top, Canada will rely on Janine Beckie, Jessie Fleming and Nichelle Prince to put pressure on the American back line.

Andonovski acknowledged that the USWNT will have a different approach to facing Canada without its top stars in the fold but that his side will not change too much for Thursday, per ESPN's Jeff Carlisle:

"Our strategy may change in terms of how we're going to defend now, since [Sinclair] is not there, or how we're going to attack since Buchanan is not there. So there are certain tweaks that we may have in our strategy, but the approach is not going to change from the mental standpoint."

The key for the USWNT's established stars over the next week will be to solidify their positions in the Olympic roster while fending off competition from younger stars such as Catarina Macario.

At 21, Macario is among the youngest players in the squad. She bypassed the NWSL and chose to sign with Lyon in France, and she should have a chance to impress in a loaded midfield.

Even without Mewis, the USWNT has the potential to control every contest through some combination of Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Kristie Mewis and Macario.

If Canada were at full strength, Thursday's match would have more pop to it, and it still might have some dramatics, but the USWNT is expected to roll to a comfortable victory to kick off its quest for a fourth SheBelieves Cup crown.

                 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90Statistics obtained from USSoccer.com.

USWNT's Ali Krieger, Ashlyn Harris Announce Adoption of Baby Sloane Phillips

Feb 15, 2021
United States goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, left, and United States defender Ali Krieger look out from the bench before the first half of a SheBelieves Cup soccer match against Spain Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Harrison, N.J. The United States won 1-0. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
United States goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, left, and United States defender Ali Krieger look out from the bench before the first half of a SheBelieves Cup soccer match against Spain Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Harrison, N.J. The United States won 1-0. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)

United States women's national team players Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris announced the adoption of baby Sloane Phillips on Instagram Sunday.

"Welcome to our family, Sloane Phillips.. we are so in love with you already!" Krieger wrote in the caption. "This has been one of the most beautiful yet stressful processes I've ever experienced with you [Ashlyn Harris] and I love you even more throughout this journey, if that’s even possible. When we first dated, we always spoke about adoption and always wanted to give a child a loving, happy and stable home. I cannot wait to give her the world and be the best Mom I can be with you right by my side."

Krieger and Harris were both members of the USA team that won the World Cup in 2019 and are teammates on the Orlando Pride of the NWSL.

They got married in December 2019 with teammate Sydney Leroux as the officiant and Megan Rapinoe as Harris' maid of honor. They first met at a USWNT camp in 2010.    

Megan Rapinoe Scores Twice as USWNT Tops Colombia 6-0 in Friendly

Jan 22, 2021
United States forward Megan Rapinoe (15) celebrates with teammates forward Emily Sonnett, left, and forward Lynn Williams (6) after scoring a goal against Colombia during the first half of an international friendly soccer match, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
United States forward Megan Rapinoe (15) celebrates with teammates forward Emily Sonnett, left, and forward Lynn Williams (6) after scoring a goal against Colombia during the first half of an international friendly soccer match, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

The United States women's national soccer team beat Colombia for the second time this week thanks to a 6-0 win in a friendly on Friday at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Team USA outscored Colombia 10-0 this week after winning 4-0 on Monday.

On Friday, Megan Rapinoe scored two first-half goals within a 10-minute span to turn a 1-0 edge into a commanding 3-0 halftime lead.

Her first tally came after Rose Lavelle's cross found its way to Emily Sonnett, who beat defender Diana Ospina to the ball and guided it to Rapinoe.

The captain then sent the ball past a sea of defenders and goalie Sandra Sepulveda thanks in part to a reflection for Team USA's second score in the 35th minute:

Eight minutes later, Sam Mewis, who scored a hat trick against Colombia on Monday, drew a foul in the penalty area. That set up Rapinoe in the 44th minute for her second goal and the United States' third:

Catarina Macario set the early tone for Team USA with an excellent run to finish off Ali Krieger's fantastic cross and get the United States on the board in the third minute:

The 21-year-old earned the goal in just her second career USWNT cap and first start. She is a star in the making, dominating at Stanford from 2017-2019, scoring 46 goals in 51 appearances and winning the Hermann Trophy in 2018 and 2019. Macario now plays for Lyon in Division 1 Feminine.

In the second half, Mewis continued to showcase another dominant performance without getting on the scoresheet. This time, her cross found Lynn Williams, who headed home Team USA's fourth goal in the 60th minute:

Williams has now scored 10 goals in 31 national team appearances.

The United States brought on a host of substitutes shortly after the Williams goal, and one of them came through for Team USA's fifth courtesy of Lindsey Horan.

A pinpoint corner from Crystal Dunn found its way to Julie Ertz, who flicked the ball to Horan. The Portland Thorns FC midfielder took care of the rest from there for her 20th-career national team goal:

Another sub closed the scoring, with Midge Purce coming off the bench for her first-career national team goal. 

Carli Lloyd collected a loose ball and spotted the attacking Purce, who was perfect in the box, finishing off the sequence with an excellent header.

The United States fired off 33 shots (12 on goal) versus Colombia's two (none on goal). Team USA also controlled possession for 67 percent of the match.

Team USA is now off for a month but will return for the SheBelieves Cup, a four-team tournament that will begin February 18 and take place at Exploria Stadium.

Team USA will open against Canada. Brazil and Japan will round out the tournament.

USWNT vs. Colombia 2021: Friendly Live-Stream Info and TV Schedule

Jan 22, 2021
United States midfielder Kristie Mewis, right, celebrates her goal against Colombia with defender Margaret Purce, left, during the second half of an international friendly soccer match, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
United States midfielder Kristie Mewis, right, celebrates her goal against Colombia with defender Margaret Purce, left, during the second half of an international friendly soccer match, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Time for the rematch. 

On Monday, the United States women's national team defeated Colombia, 4-0, as Sam Mewis registered a hat trick and Kristie Mewis finished things off with a goal in the 85th minute. Colombia has probably seen quite enough of the Mewis sisters for a while. 

Too bad, as the two teams will face off in a second friendly this week on Friday night. Below, we'll break down all of the relevant viewing information and preview the contest. 

                 

When: Friday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. ET

Where: The Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida

WatchESPN and WatchESPN

                 

Preview

The four goals from the Mewis sisters stole the headlines, but the United States' defensive performance against Colombia on Monday was superb, preventing their opponents from registering a single shot. The USWNT hit Colombia with an attacking onslaught, meanwhile, peppering the Colombia goal with 22 shots. 

The Colombians have a young squad that, despite the four goals they allowed, kept their shape and forced the Americans to break them down with creativity. 

And the USWNT, in its first match of 2021, looked sharp. Or at least sharp enough to dispose of Colombia. 

"It's incredible to see the mindset of this team," USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski told reporters Thursday. "The environment is set up in a way that we know if we [stay] where we're at, other teams will surpass us."

This iteration of the USWNT has an exciting combination of veteran players and youngsters looking to make their mark on the team, including burgeoning superstar Catarina Macario, who was a goal-scoring machine at Stanford. 

USWNT fans will be hoping to see Macario in action yet again, while a number of players who didn't play in Monday's game—Ali Krieger, Tierna Davidson, Ashlyn Harris, Andi Sullivan, Aubrey Bledsoe, Jaelin Howell, Emily Fox and Alana Cook—could see action on Friday as Andonovski rotates the squad. 

However he decides to do so, Andonovski has earned the trust of the team.

"[I] have this feeling of trust from him and that he's empowering every single player and has trust in every player that he puts out on the field," the 36-year-old Krieger told reporters. "He doesn't care about age... I appreciate that as well. Until the 20-year-olds are running past me—then we'll have another conversation."

For Friday night, the USWNT will be hoping to keep Colombia's attackers from running past them. Or, even better, getting off a single shot altogether again. 

               

Prediction

USWNT wins, 5-0.

Megan Rapinoe Talks Capitol Breach: 'Murderous Moment' Must Be Met with Justice

Jan 12, 2021
FILE - In this March 8, 2020, file photo, U.S. forward Megan Rapinoe runs during the second half of a SheBelieves Cup soccer match against Spain in Harrison, N.J. Rapinoe is among the athletes touting the benefits of CBD for pain management and recovery. CBD products have become big business after the 2018 Farm Bill made hemp a legal agricultural crop. CBD is found in both hemp and marijuana plants. It has been hailed as a health and wellness aid and infused in everything from gummies to lotions. Rapinoe's twin sister Rachael has helped launch a CBD products company called Mendi, which is geared toward athletes. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano, File)
FILE - In this March 8, 2020, file photo, U.S. forward Megan Rapinoe runs during the second half of a SheBelieves Cup soccer match against Spain in Harrison, N.J. Rapinoe is among the athletes touting the benefits of CBD for pain management and recovery. CBD products have become big business after the 2018 Farm Bill made hemp a legal agricultural crop. CBD is found in both hemp and marijuana plants. It has been hailed as a health and wellness aid and infused in everything from gummies to lotions. Rapinoe's twin sister Rachael has helped launch a CBD products company called Mendi, which is geared toward athletes. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano, File)

United States soccer star Megan Rapinoe told reporters the pro-Trump mob that breached the Capitol on January 6 must face repercussions before the nation can heal.

"It's just striking how horrible it was and how insane it was," Rapinoe told reporters after rejoining the U.S. Women's National Team on Tuesday. "A white supremacist mob is nothing new to America as people of color, Black and brown, know very well. All the calls for unity moving forward obviously cannot come without justice. If we don't punish this and investigate this to the fullest extent, it only encourages more of this to happen."

Per CNN, as of Tuesday, the FBI and Department of Justice confirmed there are more than 170 identified individuals under investigation and hundreds more arrests are expected. The House of Representatives is likely to begin impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump as early as Wednesday.

"We should make no mistake about what the intent was behind it," Rapinoe said. "And it was a murderous moment. I mean, five people are dead and we can't bring them back. So this week certainly will be hugely consequential in the history of our country. Just from a personal standpoint, it's very unsettling and scary."

Rapinoe has long been critical of the Trump Administration and famously said she would refuse to visit the White House if the team won the 2019 World Cup.

Asked about a photo of a Trump supporter who had gone to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6 wearing a USWNT sweatshirt, Rapinoe maintained her stance that the sitting president does not represent the values of the women's national team and such fans are not welcomed by the players.

"The U.S. crest is not to be confused with anything that has to do with white supremacy, anything that has to do with the Trump administration, anything that has to do with that divisive culture that we saw on the Capitol," Rapinoe said. "... We want to create, and continue to create, a place that is inclusive and safe and diverse for our fans and for our players to play in front of and for people to watch on TV and for the media to cover. So don't bring that bulls--t here."

The USWNT co-captain also called out Republican leaders who continue to spread the lie that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump adding that they, too, must be held accountable for their actions in the wake of the mob attack.