Obviously, the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) didn’t have the year everyone thought. After winning the Women’s World Cup (WWC) in 2015, all eyes were rightfully on them this year. There’s no doubt been shockers that we’ve should’ve seen coming, but there’s a few that led to the biggest one of them all.
The mild shockers
Without a doubt, there have been a few shockers this year. Next to no one expected Mallory Pugh to do as well as she did. There hasn’t been a teenager on the USWNT in so long; people really doubted her ability to stand out.
Another unexpected call-up this year was Allie Long of the Portland Thorns. Long received a nod to the national team in 2014, but had been missing ever since. After an outstanding 2015 NWSL season, she was called back into camp and eventually became an integral part of the team. She really made her mark in 2016 and showed up when needed most.
Additionally, the treatment of Heather O’Reilly this year was a wonder on its own. After only playing nine minutes in the WWC, everyone thought she’d make a comeback this year, but she didn’t. The Olympic Qualifying roster was the first roster she wasn’t named to in over a decade. It was a widespread opinion that she was a shoe in for the Olympics with Megan Rapinoe’s ACL injury, but coach Jill Ellis proved everyone wrong by not naming her, again, for the 2016 Olympics. O'Reilly's a legend forced into retirement during her prime.
The Equal Play, Equal Pay campaign and EEOC complaint was a good surprise considering it was an Olympic year therefore being a little risky. Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe, Hope Solo, and Becky Sauerbrunn all signed a complaint saying they were being discriminated against by not being paid the same as the men. After the team’s championship run at the WWC it wasn't too much of a shocker to have this happen eventually, but in a major tournament year? It was unheard of.
Hope Solo’s suspension was certainly a head turner, but was it really a surprise? U.S. Soccer had been waiting to drop Solo the moment she messed up again. Calling Sweden “cowards” after their loss in penalties was enough for the federation to cut all ties with the goalkeeper. They definitely don’t need her services in the near future, so if they were going to pull this dramatic move, now was the time.
Obviously the USWNT not bringing home another Olympic gold medal, or any medal, was a big surprise. The USWNT didn’t just lose by chance, however. One of their worst performances came against Mexico in Olympic Qualifying, a team they’ve beaten 8-0 in the past; the game’s only goal came from a Carli Lloyd penalty. Mexico defended and defended because they knew what a powerhouse the U.S. could be. Ellis didn't make the right subs. Sound familiar at all? Guess someone didn’t learn from that experience.
The biggest surprise
No doubt that the biggest surprise this year was Megan Rapinoe kneeling during the national anthem during NWSL and national team games. It has undeniably taken the media by storm, but message isn’t really getting across. An initiative started by the NFL’s Colin Kaepernick to peacefully protest police brutality and support Black Lives Matter took off at an alarming rate. The simple action of kneeling during the anthem holds so much meaning and quickly spread throughout the rest of the NFL teams in no time. Absolutely no one expected it to reach the NWSL let alone Megan Rapinoe.
Rapinoe’s actions haven’t all been greeted with open arms. USSF doesn’t like it. Some have called the kneeling a distraction from the game, including national team co-captain Carli Lloyd. It’s only as distracting as the media makes it, which is a lot. Rapinoe’s message is being lost in favor of the action itself that many claim it inappropriate for a player representing the nation she’s criticizing. Washington Spirit owner Bill Lynch played the anthem in the locker rooms to prevent her from “hijacking” it. Blind patriotism surely derails her point. The NWSL season may be coming to a close, but Megan Rapinoe should continue disperse her message on whatever stage she pleases.