Police officers at Maryland SoccerPlex were assigned to Seattle Reign star Megan Rapinoe, whose decision to kneel during the national anthem has stirred controversy. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post) 
 
 Following the Seattle Reign’s 2-1 defeat to the Washington Spirit on Wednesday, Megan Rapinoe responded to the Spirit’s decision to play the national anthem while the teams were in the locker room. The unannounced scheduling change preventing her from kneeling during “The Star-Spangled Banner,” an act she first exhibited Sunday in Chicago to show solidarity with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. 
 
 [Spirit doesn’t give Rapinoe chance to kneel in protest during national anthem] 
 
 What was your reaction to the early anthem? 
 
 “I didn’t hear it and I wasn’t exactly sure why it wasn’t played. It’s [expletive] unbelievable. Saddened by it. It’s pretty clear what the message is I am trying to bring to light in Chicago and what I continue to try to talk about the last few days. Clearly with [Spirit owner Bill Lynch’s] actions, it’s a necessary conversation. It was incredibly distasteful, four days before one of the worst tragedies in our country, to say that I tried to hijack this event. … It’s just really disappointing and disrespectful. We want to talk about disrespect, and me disrespecting, he didn’t even give both teams a chance to even stand in front of it and show their respects. It’s unbelievable. It’s truly an unbelievable act to me.” 
 
 Teammates’ reaction to your efforts? 
 
 “I think they were going to show their support in some way. I don’t know if any of them were going to kneel or not, but many of my teammates have had conversations with me and just said they wanted to show support in some way.” 
 
 [Spirit clinches home-field advantage in playoffs with 2-1 victory over Reign] 
 
 What have the last few days been like and have you been able to talk to Kaepernick? 
 
 “I have not been able to connect with Colin, but I have talked to a few other activists leading the charge. It’s been good, and good in the sense of I’m having conversations with myself all day long and conversations with other people, and learning more and becoming more educated. Ultimately, the conversation is going in a positive way. Even the conversations I have with my family. You start to melt away some of those barriers and actually have the real conversation, which is most meaningful. Overall, the response has been good. Obviously there is some negative going on, but I am not rolling through the trolls. Keep it positive.” 
 
 Did you anticipate anything like this happening? 
 
 “No. Certainly not. Unbelievable.” 
 
 You had a couple of police officers at your side. Were you threatened? 
 
 “I haven’t personally. I am not reading all of my tweets. I know the club has received some emails. They’re handling that and keeping me insulated a little bit. It’s just an extra precaution.” 
 
 How do you feel about having to need extra security? 
 
 “It shows me we really need to talk about the conversation I want to talk about. It’s case in point right there.” 
 
 Has this affected you? 
 
 “To say I am not mentally tired in ways and exhausted in ways would be a lie. It’s been draining. It’s been draining on everyone. I am aware it’s not just me going through this; it’s my whole team, my whole club, my whole family, and the other players in the league as well. I know it’s created a stir, but sometimes that’s necessary.” 
 
 You will play the Spirit again in four days in Seattle. What are you expecting? 
 
 “Our game is on September 11th and we are planning a ceremony with five veterans. We’ve been in contact with them, especially since Sunday night. We are having a conversation with them and we are bringing them in and I am going to meet with them before. So giving them the utmost respect is paramount for me and for the club. I plan to continue to take a knee during the national anthem, when everyone can prepare for that. Then we won’t be surprised by anything crazy. I don’t anticipate it having this huge effect [this weekend]. I hope the conversation continues and I hope I still get questions about it — maybe a couple about that and some about the game. The Spirit doesn’t deserve [this], [having advanced to] the playoffs and clinch home-field advantage, and we haven’t talked about them once” during the interview session. 
 
 Have you been in contact with the U.S. Soccer Federation and do you plan to kneel at national team games? 
 
 “I’ve been in touch with U.S. Soccer, with the media relations there. Just talking through my process and an on-going process daily with my agent, U.S. Soccer and everyone involved. As of now, I do plan [to kneel]. It’s an ever-evolving process. I know it means something a little bit different when I am wearing the U.S. shirt, but I still plan to do it. … I take playing for my country very seriously. It’s a huge honor. I hope we can flush this out and the outrage can die down and we can have a meaningful conversation.” 
 
 What is the message you want to get out? 
 
 “We need to have an open conversation about race relations in this country and what that means to both sides. The conversation gets so mixed up: What are we actually talking about? We’re talking about Americans that have to deal with oppression and racism and poverty — and the intersection of all of that. Being a woman, we talk about equal pay all the time. We’re not talking about if you’re black or if you are Latina. I would like to get back to that, and improving the relationship between the police community and the community of color. I don’t know exactly all the right things to say, but I want to engage in that conversation. In part, I went into this knowing I don’t have all of the answers. I’ve opened myself up and been a little bit exposed because I don’t know everything. And there is no way I can. But I want to. I think there are a lot of people out there who want to and don’t know how. That’s a difficult thing if you live in a predominantly white community and don’t have a lot experience in that, but this can help open up the conversation a little bit more.” 
 
 Reign Coach Laura Harvey also addressed the issue. 
 
 Did it cause a distraction? 
 
 “I don’t think it impacted the game. We were told just before we left the locker room that the anthem had already been played. I let Megan know that. We had a very brief reaction to that. We were trying to be very focused on what we were trying to do. I just felt there was a strange atmosphere at the start of the game because most people thought it would’ve been played and we are walking out not really knowing why.” 
 
 Are you disappointed how the anthem issue was handled? 
 
 “Disappointed in the sense that we’ve tried to do everything we can to prepare for every eventuality leading up to today. To not be notified prior is disappointing.” 
 
 The Spirit owner said he didn’t want Megan hijacking the event, but now the anthem is the topic of discussion after the game. 
 
 “The last thing we’re speaking about is the game. It wouldn’t have been that if the anthem had been played and it wouldn’t have been that if stuff hadn’t been out public. That in itself shows that maybe the decision had an adverse effect.” 
 
 Through a team spokeswoman, Spirit players said they did not want to discuss the anthem issue. 
 
 NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush attended the match and said he did not know the Spirit had planned to play the anthem while the teams were inside. He answered a few questions while watching the first half. 
 
 “I was on a phone call inside and heard the music, so I rushed out to see if the players were out there.” 
 
 Reaction? 
 
 “It’s an emotional issue. I’m trying to be aware of that and respectful of different points of view. It’s a challenging issue and a challenging time. We’ve got some issues we need to work through as a country. I don’t know how to do it.” 
 
 Violation of league protocol? 
 
 “I would have preferred to have had an honest dialogue of what we wanted to do, what their goals were, and then work through it. I don’t suggest I have all the answers, but it’s better to talk about it. I’m disappointed.” 
 
 Will the league sanction the organization in some way? 
 
 “I haven’t thought about that piece of it yet. It is secondary. What’s important right here is a playoff-implication match. But the issue brought forth by Colin and then Megan is a real issue. We need to have serious conversations about it. I don’t know whether it belongs on the playing surface. It’s bigger than us.” 
 
 Did you approach Spirit owner Bill Lynch before kickoff? 
 
 “I haven’t talked to Bill yet. I wanted to take a deep breath. I saw their press release. I get it. I’m trying to be respectful to two really opposite points of view.” ||||| Megan Rapinoe, front, fends off Washington’s Alyssa Kleiner in the second half at Maryland SoccerPlex. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post) 
 
 U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe never got a chance to kneel during the national anthem Wednesday at Maryland SoccerPlex. 
 
 In a preemptive move, the owner of the Washington Spirit, Air Force veteran Bill Lynch, ordered “The Star-Spangled Banner” to be played while the teams were in the locker room. 
 
 The Spirit took the action, the National Women’s Soccer League club said, “rather than subject our fans and friends to the disrespect we feel such an act would represent.” 
 
 [Rapinoe responds after the game: ‘It’s [expletive] unbelievable. Saddened by it.’] 
 
 Typically, the players warm up for an extended period, return to the locker room for final instructions, then take the field for introductions and the anthem. In this case, moments after the Spirit and Seattle Reign players finished warm-ups and retreated indoors, fans were asked to stand and observe the anthem. 
 
 Rapinoe first knelt for the anthem Sunday during the Reign’s game at Chicago against the Red Stars, saying she did it as a nod to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick created a national stir late last month when he refused to stand for the anthem during a preseason game. 
 
 [Colin Kaepernick plans to put money from his top-selling jersey to good use] 
 
 Players on both teams arrived at the SoccerPlex unaware of plans for the early playing of the anthem. Spirit Coach Jim Gabarra told his players in the locker room just before the anthem started. Rapinoe, who had entered as a substitute in the previous two matches, was not in Seattle’s starting lineup and came on in the second half. 
 
 In a match twice delayed by lightning, the first-place Spirit (12-3-3) won, 2-1, to clinch home-field advantage in the league semifinals, Sept. 30 or Oct. 1. Crystal Dunn, Rapinoe’s U.S. Olympic teammate, scored a sensational goal from 22 yards just before halftime and Cheyna Williams put away a rebound in the 61st minute. Kim Little converted a penalty kick in the 71st for the Reign (6-6-6). 
 
 [More on the match, plus video of Dunn’s goal] 
 
 The Spirit said it did not want Rapinoe to detract from the final regular season home game, which, combined with other results in the league, could’ve clinched first place for Washington with two matches remaining. 
 
 “We understand this may be seen as an extraordinary step, but believe it was the best option to avoid taking focus away from the game on such an important night for our franchise,” the Spirit said in a statement. “While we respect every individual’s right to express themselves, and believe Ms. Rapinoe to be an amazing individual with a huge heart; we respectfully disagree with her method of hijacking our organization’s event to draw attention to what is ultimately a personal — albeit worthy — cause.” 
 
 Kaepernick’s stance has continued to generate headlines. The NFL.com’s Steve Wyche was the first to notice Kaepernick sitting during the anthem before the 49ers Aug. 27 game against Green Bay. “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick said afterward. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” 
 
 Kaepernick has continued to sit for the anthem since, and Rapinoe is part of a handful of athletes to follow his lead. The Spirit, however, was able to sidestep any controversy with its move Wednesday night. 
 
 “As a veteran owned team, the national anthem holds an exceptionally special meaning for this organization,” the team’s statement continued. “Our owner Bill Lynch has lost personal friends during overseas conflicts and has other close friends who have also lost loved ones. Playing the national anthem prior to sports events became standard during World War II and was a way to express the team’s and fan’s patriotism and show support for the U.S. Military. The tradition of honoring our military and our patriotism before our games is very important to us. We strongly feel that there are better ways to begin a conversation about a cause than tarnishing a tradition that is so important to so many.” 
 
 “To willingly allow anyone to hijack this tradition that means so much to millions of Americans and so many of our own fans for any cause would effectively be just as disrespectful as doing it ourselves. Professional athletes have incredible numbers of followers, to which we believe they have the ability to articulate a conversation with objectives and plans and begin a serious conversation directly, or through traditional media appearances, without insulting our military and our fans. 
 
 “We do regret that this decision has denied the players who had no intention of taking a knee their own opportunity to honor our great country from the field. This is an issue we are communicating to and with them about personally.” 
 
 NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush attended Wednesday’s match and, after the anthem played, said he was unaware of the Spirit’s plans. 
 
 “I would have preferred to have had an honest dialogue of what we wanted to do, what their goals were, and then work through it,” he said. “I don’t suggest I have all the answers, but it’s better to talk about it. I’m disappointed.” 
 
 On the broader topic, he said: “It’s an emotional issue. I’m trying to be aware of that and respectful of different points of view. It’s a challenging issue and a challenging time. We’ve got some issues we need to work through as a country. … The issue brought forth by Colin and then Megan is a real issue. We need to have serious conversations about it. I don’t know whether it belongs on the playing surface. It’s bigger than us.” 
 
 In recent days, Lynch shared his feelings about the anthem controversy with his players, saying he would be disappointed if any of them followed Rapinoe’s lead. He did not threaten to fine or suspend anyone who did kneel. 
 
 The Spirit and Reign will meet again Sunday in Seattle. 
 
 In a statement released earlier Wednesday, Reign management said: “We will continue to encourage all Reign players to participate in the pre-match ceremony, which honors those who have served and made sacrifices on our behalf. We will also continue to allow players to participate in the pre-match ceremony in a manner consistent with their personal beliefs, reflecting our respect for the rights earned and defended by those fighting for our nation.” ||||| U.S. Soccer: We expect our players, coaches to stand for anthem 
 
 COLUMBUS, Ohio -- For the second time in recent days, but the first while wearing the uniform of the United States women's national team, Megan Rapinoe chose not to stand for the national anthem prior to a soccer game. 
 
 Instead, Rapinoe knelt on the sideline during "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Thursday's 9-0 exhibition win against Thailand in what she has described as a gesture of solidarity with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and others protesting social inequalities. 
 
 U.S. Soccer released a statement during the game, saying it did not agree with Rapinoe's decision. 
 
 "Representing your country is a privilege and honor for any player or coach that is associated with U.S. Soccer's National Teams. Therefore, our national anthem has particular significance for U.S. Soccer," the statement read. "In front of national and often global audiences, the playing of our national anthem is an opportunity for our Men's and Women's National Team players and coaches to reflect upon the liberties and freedom we all appreciate in this country. As part of the privilege to represent your country, we have an expectation that our players and coaches will stand and honor our flag while the national anthem is played." 
 
 Rapinoe told ESPN after the game that she went with her heart and "what I knew was right all along." 
 
 "As of now I plan to keep kneeling," she said. "I'm trying to kind of formulate a better plan and an action step moving forward. But until then, this is how I can help, this is how I can use my voice going forward, and this is how I can be an ally in this space." 
 
 Rapinoe first knelt during the anthem prior to a Sept. 4 game involving the Seattle Reign, her National Women's Soccer League team. In her next NWSL game with Seattle on Sept. 7, the Washington Spirit played the anthem before players took the field to prevent a repeat protest. 
 
 Most recently, Rapinoe chose to stand and link arms with teammates during the anthem prior to a game on the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, in what she indicated was a nod to the sensitivity of the occasion. 
 
 Rapinoe, who helped the U.S. win the World Cup last year and played in the Rio Olympics, entered Thursday's match at the start of the second half. 
 
 "We need to look at all the things the flag and the anthem represent and all the things it means, and is it protecting everybody?" Rapinoe said. "There are people who don't feel as protected as I do every day. I know it's a time-honored tradition. Especially in a sports environment, it's something the country is very passionate about, but there is a bigger conversation here that is more important than sports." 
 
 As recently as a day before the game against Thailand, the first for the U.S. since the Olympics and since Kaepernick's protests came to national attention, Rapinoe said she wasn't sure whether she would take a knee. 
 
 But after standing alongside other non-starters during the playing of Thailand's anthem Thursday night at Mapfre Stadium in Ohio's capital, Rapinoe knelt to the ground during the American anthem, sung by an Air Force servicewoman. No players joined her, although all remained close by on either side. Moments before the anthem, teammate Meghan Klingenberg hugged Rapinoe. 
 
 There was little discernible reaction, positive or negative, from the crowd. 
 
 "My impact right now is being able to have conversations in my community," Rapinoe said. "I live in a very white world, and I think the conversations I have been able to open up just with my family and my friends and the people around me and the people I work with has been tremendous. I feel like that's my part right now. 
 
 "Ultimately I would like to be involved in any way I can and be an ally and use my platform or use the resources I have to shed light on the issues and then go past that. It's really not about having just one conversation. It really is about the next step and what can we do to sort of break down some of these prejudices and some of these injustices that are happening and really move forward." 
 
 Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch/AP Megan Rapinoe said Wednesday that she was frustrated the "medium" of protests has been debated more than the social issues that Colin Kaepernick first cited as the root cause of those protests. 
 
 U.S. coach Jill Ellis said that while she supported Rapinoe's activism, she felt it was the expectation of a national team player to stand for the anthem. 
 
 "It was one of those things that you don't know until you know, [that] kind of thing, in terms of what happened," Ellis said. "I think for me and who I am, I've given this a lot of thought and a lot of contemplation. And I think tonight I was not going to get caught up in an emotional response in the moment. I'm pretty measured in everything I do, and certainly even to the game plan was measured in minutes and that was factored in, including Megan. I think that's just how I am. Now it's continued conversations and thoughts on my part and probably with the federation." 
 
 Ellis said she had discussed the situation with Rapinoe. 
 
 "It was important for me to express how I felt and important for me to listen as well," Ellis said. "I was very clear in what I expected and needed. Everything for me, from the day I took over this job, it's about the team. And if something supersedes the team, that's where I get concerned. And I think that's something I have to reflect on now at this point." 
 
 The substitute role for Rapinoe against Thailand was not a surprise. The midfielder hasn't started for the national team since tearing an ACL in December, and one of the starting places she might otherwise have contended for was occupied by Heather O'Reilly in the veteran's final international game. 
 
 O'Reilly said Rapinoe had talked to the team about her decision. 
 
 "And we know, obviously, why she is doing that," O'Reilly said. "Because she loves this country and she wants to see change, and that's how she feels, in her heart, that she's demonstrating it." 
 
 Rapinoe played a part in one of the most iconic on-field moments in the history of the women's national team, delivering the cross that Abby Wambach headed for a late tying goal during an Olympic quarterfinal against Brazil in 2012. 
 
 But the 31-year-old has been equally visible in using the platform of the national team to address off-field issues. A longtime advocate for LGBT rights, she also is one of five players named in an equal-pay complaint filed against U.S. Soccer and was a vocal critic of the artificial turf used during the 2015 World Cup. 
 
 She spoke Wednesday of frustration, saying the "medium" of protests has been debated more than the social issues that Kaepernick first cited as the root cause of those protests. Rapinoe reiterated concerns about both police violence against minority communities and the challenges faced by police. Not long after she spoke at Mapfre Stadium, a police shooting occurred a little more than 4 miles away. 
 
 The mayor of Columbus and other officials asked the public for patience Thursday as they addressed the overnight shooting death of a 13-year-old African-American boy. Officials said the boy, Tyree King, was shot and killed by an officer after King pulled what appeared to be a firearm out of his waistband when pursued in connection with an armed robbery minutes earlier. The weapon turned out to be what was described as a realistic-looking BB gun. 
 
 It is unclear what, if any, role the incident played in Rapinoe's decision to follow through on her protest during the national anthem, although she retweeted journalist and Black Lives Matter activist Shaun King, who connected the shooting with the death of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was playing with a pellet gun when he was fatally shot by Cleveland police in 2014. 
 
 The U.S. women's national team next plays Sunday in Atlanta against the Netherlands. 
 
 Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. ||||| United States' Megan Rapinoe, second from left, kneels during the playing of the national anthem before the soccer match against Thailand, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. Rapinoe did not... (Associated Press) 
 
 United States' Megan Rapinoe, second from left, kneels during the playing of the national anthem before the soccer match against Thailand, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. Rapinoe did not... (Associated Press) 
 
 COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Megan Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem before a U.S. women's national team match against Thailand on Thursday night. 
 
 Rapinoe first knelt during the anthem Sept. 4 before a game with her National Women's Soccer League team, the Seattle Reign. She said she wanted to express solidarity with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who is not standing during the anthem to bring attention to racial inequality. 
 
 After Thursday night's game, which the United States won 9-0, U.S. Soccer issued a statement to ESPN that said representing the country is a "privilege and honor" for any player or coach associated with the national teams. 
 
 "Therefore, our national anthem has particular significance for U.S. Soccer. In front of national and often global audiences, the playing of our national anthem is an opportunity for our Men's and Women's National Team players and coaches to reflect upon the liberties and freedom we all appreciate in this country. 
 
 "As part of the privilege to represent your country, we have an expectation that our players and coaches will stand and honor our flag while the national anthem is played." 
 
 It was unclear whether Rapinoe would face any sanctions from the federation. 
 
 "I'm very proud to pull on this shirt and play for this country, and also represent my country in a different way in speaking out for people that are oppressed," she told the network, which broadcast the game. 
 
 Rapinoe did not start the game at Mapfre stadium. She knelt from a spot near the bench while the fellow reserves around her stood for the anthem. 
 
 The 31-year-old, who helped the U.S. win the World Cup last year and played in the Rio Olympics, came into the match at the start of the second half. 
 
 At a game Sunday night in Seattle, the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, she stood and linked arms with her Reign teammates. 
 
 Last week before a Reign match against the Washington Spirit in Maryland, the anthem was played before the teams took the field rather than "subject our fans and friends to the disrespect we feel such an act would represent," said a Spirit statement that cited the personal beliefs of the team owner. 
 
 There was speculation that Rapinoe might refrain from kneeling before Thursday night's game because she was playing for the United States and not her club team. It was also the final game for midfielder Heather O'Reilly, who was retiring after 15 years with the national team. 
 
 Kaepernick's refusal to stand for the anthem first came to public notice when he remained seated on the bench before an NFL preseason game against Green Bay. Since then numerous players have joined the protest, taking a knee or raising a fist. 
 
 "Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties. It was something small that I could do and something that I plan to keep doing in the future and hopefully spark some meaningful conversation around it," Rapinoe told American Soccer Now about her motivation for the protest. 
 
 Since coming out in 2012, Rapinoe has been devoted advocate for LGBT rights and has worked with the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and other organizations. 
 
 Rapinoe also has been vocal about pay equity, and was among five national team players who lent their names to a complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging wage discrimination. The players claim that members of the team make in some cases up to four times less than their male national team counterparts. ||||| The 31-year-old from Redding, Calif., displayed support for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick Sunday night, kneeling while the national anthem was played before a Seattle-Chicago match. 
 
 BY John D. Halloran Posted 
 
 September 04, 2016 
 
 6:20 AM SHARE THIS STORY 
 
 
 
 BRIDGEVIEW, Ill.—United States women’s national team star Megan Rapinoe has joined a small but growing number of professional athletes refusing to stand during the national anthem. 
 
 The silent protest occurred on Sunday night as the Star Spangled Banner was played ahead of a National Women’s Soccer League match between the Chicago Red Stars and Rapinoe’s team, the Seattle Reign. 
 
 Speaking after the match, Rapinoe explained why she decided to kneel during the anthem. 
 
 “It was very intentional,” said Rapinoe. “It was a little nod to Kaepernick and everything that he’s standing for right now. I think it’s actually pretty disgusting the way he was treated and the way that a lot of the media has covered it and made it about something that it absolutely isn’t. We need to have a more thoughtful, two-sided conversation about racial issues in this country. 
 
 ASN MATRIX: Did Rapinoe Do the Right Thing? 
 
 “Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties. It was something small that I could do and something that I plan to keep doing in the future and hopefully spark some meaningful conversation around it. It’s important to have white people stand in support of people of color on this. We don’t need to be the leading voice, of course, but standing in support of them is something that’s really powerful.” 
 
 San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick started the protest last month, electing to sit down as the anthem was played ahead of a series of pre-season games. He later told NFL.com, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” 
 
 Since then, other NFL players, including 49er teammate Eric Reid and the Seattle Seahawks’ Jeremy Lane, have joined the protest. 
 
 Rapinoe has also spoken out on the Black Lives Matter movement before. Last month, after the WBNA announced fines for players sporting Black Lives Matter t-shirts, Rapinoe told Excelle Sports, “I get sort of in theory where [the WNBA] is coming from, but it’s just so insensitive and so fucking stupid that they would fine players for a Black Lives Matter shirt.” 
 
 John D. Halloran is an American Soccer Now columnist. Follow him on Twitter.
– If Megan Rapinoe had planned to take a knee during the national anthem in her Wednesday night game against the Washington Spirit, the owner of that women's soccer team effectively squelched that plan. Per the Washington Post, Spirit owner Bill Lynch, an Air Force veteran, made sure the anthem was played at Maryland SoccerPlex only after his team and Rapinoe's Seattle Reign FC headed to the locker room after warmups, a preemptive strike against Rapinoe's anticipated repeat of her protest at a Sunday night game (a show of support for the 49ers' QB Colin Kaepernick). "We understand this may be seen as an extraordinary step, but believe it was the best option to avoid taking focus away from the game on such an important night for our franchise," the Spirit said in a statement, referencing its last regular-season home game that could help earn it a first-place slot. The statement went on to say that although Rapinoe is "an amazing individual with a huge heart," the Spirit didn't want her "hijacking" the game for her "personal—albeit worthy—cause," nor to "subject our fans and friends to the disrespect we feel such an act would represent." Rapinoe, for her part, said after the game she was "saddened" by the song subterfuge and called it "f---ing unbelievable" and "incredibly distasteful, four days before [the anniversary of] one of the worst tragedies in our country, to say I tried to hijack this event." One other person not aware in advance of the Spirit's plans, per the Post: National Women's Soccer League Commissioner Jeff Plush, who says he was "disappointed" by Lynch's move. Meanwhile, Rapinoe's team issued its own statement that said it will "continue to encourage" its players to take part in any pre-game ceremonies, but that they're free to do so "in a manner consistent with their personal beliefs." (More Rapinoe reaction in the Post.)