Korbin Albert, a player on the US women’s national soccer team, faced booing and jeering during the team’s game against the Japanese national women’s team in the SheBelieves Cup, The booing came in a likely response to revelations about Albert’s activity on social media, namely a video she reposted on TikTok in which a pastor said, during a sermon, that being gay and “feeling transgender” is morally wrong.
Albert also appears to have liked a post on Instagram that mocked the injury Megan Rapine, the anthem-protesting member of the team, suffered during her final game as a professional soccer player. The post Albert liked included the statement, “God taking time off performing miracles to make sure Megan Rapinoe sprains her ankle in her final ever game.”
Albert’s posts triggered Megan Rapinoe, the woke former start of the USWNT. “For people who want to hide behind ‘my beliefs’ I would just ask one question, are you making any type of space safer, more inclusive, more whole, any semblance of better, bringing the best out of anyone?” Rapinoe wrote in an Instagram story. “Because if you aren’t all you believe in his hate,” Rapinoe added. “And kids are literally killing themselves because of this hate. Wake, TF up!”
Albert apologized in a statement, saying, “I want to sincerely apologize for my actions on social media. Liking and sharing posts that are offensive, insensitive and hurtful was immature and disrespectful which was never my intent.”
She continued, “I’m really disappointed in myself and am deeply sorry for the hurt that I have caused to my teammates, other players, fans, friends and anyone who was offended. I truly believe that everyone should feel safe and respected everywhere and on all playing fields.” She added, “I know my actions have not lived up to that and for that I sincerely apologize. It’s an honor and a privilege to get to play this sport on the world stage and I promise to do better.”
The matter then made a return when Albert entered the match against Japan, played inside Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in the 78th minute of the match. When she ran onto the field, booing resounded within the stadium.
Watch the booing here:
As the booing occurred after a penalty kick that put the USWNT ahead, some on X (formerly Twitter) claimed that it didn’t happen. That then led to other commenters posting that it did happen, though it might have only been audible in some sections of the stadium. One poster, for example, wrote, “I am in the stadium at Merceds-Benz ATL. Korbin Albert was SOUNDLY booed when announced. @itsmeglinehan @USWNT”
A different commenter, however, claimed that the booing was mixed with cheering and barely audible, saying, “Not accurate. I was in 103. 85% of crowd cheered as normal while small pockets of boos mixed in. Almost not heard where we were seated. The team can handle their business and work on being better as a group. Something that’s been a challenge for them in these last years.”
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