Hope Solo Says Megan Rapinoe Would ‘Bully’ Teammates Into Kneeling For Anthem

Former Team USA goalkeeper Hope Solo didn’t hold back when speaking on how Megan Rapinoe treated USA teammates during her time with the team.

Specifically, Solo had an issue with hoe Rapinoe would ‘bully’ teammates into kneeling for the National Anthem because she was so passionate about her protesting beliefs.

“It’s tough,” Solo told Goal. “I’ve seen Megan Rapinoe almost bully players into kneeling because she really wants to stand up for something in her particular way. But it’s our right as Americans to do it whatever way we’re comfortable with and I think that’s really hard being on the main stage right now with so many political issues for athletes. There’s a lot of pressure and ultimately at the end of the day our number one focus should and has always been to win first.”

Hope Solo would go on to explain why she didn’t necessarily believe in Megan Rapinoe and members of Team USA kneeling in protest to inequalities in the country.

“I think the rhetoric surrounding this team has been both divisive and inclusive. I guess it’s kind of where we are in politics in this day and age,” Solo told Goal on All of Us: The U.S. Women’s Soccer Show.

“Right now what I’ve seen is there’s been so much debate about the kneeling, about the not kneeling. I know most people stand against discrimination,” Solo added. “And I live in the south, I live in a very conservative area here in North Carolina in the south. Obviously I have friends on both sides of the aisle, but I think the kneeling thing can be very divisive.”

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Hope Solo’s tone against Megan Rapinoe and the kneeling teammates wasn’t overly hateful or anything, but she clearly didn’t see eye to eye with everyone (especially Rapinoe).

Solo would go on to day that while a lot of people had different views and ideas, winning was always the most important goal for the team.

Megan Rapinoe and the Team USA women settled for a disappointing bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics.

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