USSF announced a controversial new policy, the Baby Nats are headed to the World Cup and the USWNT finish tourney in last place.
No kneeling allowed!
The United States Soccer Federation enacted a new policy dealing with how players and staff should conduct themselves during the playing of national anthems before matches. Sports Illustrated detailed the crux of the policy:
"“All persons representing a Federation national team shall stand respectfully during the playing of national anthems at any event in which the Federation is represented,” new policy 604-1 states."
Toward the end of last year, USWNT star Megan Rapinoe knelt during the USA national anthem prior to a couple of matches — one club match, one national team match — in solidarity with 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The NFL player stated he was drawing attention to what he saw as unfair treatment of minorities by police in this country.
This new policy from U.S. Soccer is a direct response to Rapinoe’s actions. She responded by saying she would follow the new policy. USMNT and Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard came out in support of the new policy, but made sure to add that he was speaking only for himself.
We talk about freedom a lot in this country. We count freedom of speech and, specifically, the freedom to stand up for what you believe in among our most important American ideals. That is, until those freedoms are enacted in ways we disagree with. Then, somehow, these quintessential American acts become an attack on freedom and an affront to the flag.
Many responded to the actions of Rapinoe, Kaepernick and the many others that chose to kneel during the national anthem with something along the lines of people died for you to have these freedoms in this country. This sentiment is meant as a rebuke, when, in actuality, it is a defense of those who chose to kneel, and for protesters more generally.
I can’t think of a more American act than protesting; for speaking out for those you perceive to be mistreated and abused. Using your status and stage to enact freedoms kept safe by our military seems to be just about as patriotic as you can get. These actions weren’t an attack on the flag or the military or the American way of life; they were an effort to shine light on issues many in this country feel desperately need more attention. They were an honest expression, and celebration, of the very freedoms the detractors of these actions claim to hold so dear.
By enacting this policy, the USSF, as a national governing body, is sending the wrong message. It is appealing to those with a narrow and stunted view of patriotism; it is appealing to those who claim enacting these rights in this way is incorrect and detrimental and un-American. This hijacked view of what it means to be an American flies in the face of the freedoms and rights fought for and secured by various individuals and groups throughout our history. We are not the land of the free and the home of the brave because we fall in line and display blind loyalty to a symbol or to rulers, but because we have the courage to call out authority for misdeeds, and the gumption to stand up for the oppressed and the downtrodden.
And, besides all of that, the new policy appears to be a response by USSF to the actions of one U.S. national team player. It had never happened before and there didn’t appear to be much threat of it happening in the future. Additionally, the new policy is effectively toothless: no consequences or penalties for disobeying it have been provided. Beyond it being a PR move, what’s the point of this policy? What does it achieve?
Look, if I was lucky enough to represent my country in a sport I would certainly stand for the national anthem. That would be my choice and my right. But those who feel compelled to protest, to bring attention to something they feel is important, equally have the choice and right to do so.
Next: This is all it is: In search of American soccer's missing narrative
Extras
The U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team qualified for the U-20 World Cup in Korea Republic by making the final of the U-20 CONCACAF Championship. They then went on to lift the trophy after defeating Honduras in a penalty shootout. Both teams managed three shots on goal, but neither found the net in regulation time. Two Baby Nats were honored after the match as captain Erik Palmer-Brown won the Golden Ball and keeper Jonathan Klinsmann (Klinsmann!) was awarded the Golden Glove (the goalkeeper award, not the being-good-at-baseball award).
After a great start, the USWNT lost their final two games of the SheBelieves Cup. They followed up a 1-0 loss to England on Saturday with a dismal 3-0 butt-kicking by France. The U.S. women finished dead last in the tournament, securing only three points in three games. This type of tournament is good for experimenting with lineups and personnel, and manager Jill Ellis certainly took that approach, but there’s no reason the USWNT should finish last in a domestically hosted tournament. Hopefully Ellis goes away from the three defender formation because, yikes. The USWNT will be back in action in early April as they take on Russia twice in four days in Texas.
USMNT and Newcastle United defender DeAndre Yedlin didn’t play for his club team on Wednesday due to an injury sustained in training. It was initially reported as a minor injury, but now there are questions surrounding the date of Yedlin’s return. Obviously, this is terrifying for USMNT fans as the super-duper important World Cup qualifiers draw near. Get well soon, DeAndre. We are begging you.