Megan Rapinoe poses for a photo with her girlfriend, WNBA star Sue Bird.
Now USWNT fans around the world are praising “America’s Best Sports Couple” online for being role models to young girls and the LGBTQ community.
“Congratulations!!! Thank you for being such a wonderful and strong role model for my daughters!!!!” wrote one user on Facebook.
Another user added, “You guys truly are an amazing example of how far women have come in sports, and an example to all of us that love is love...love conquers all!!!”
One Instagram user compared their sports powerhouse relationship to a hypothetical coupling between NBA star Lebron James and soccer icon Lionel Messi.
“This is equivalent to Messi dating LeBron,” wrote a user on Instagram.
While many online are praising Bird and Rapinoe and other USWNT soccer players for their open queerness and being a “bastion of hope” for the lesbian and gay community, others are praising the couple for their activism, both on and off the field.
Rapinoe remained silent during the American national anthem before each match and refused to put her hand over heart; she also famously and openly refused President Trump’s invitation to the USWNT to come to the White House.
“I'm proud to be raising my daughter in a time where there are female athletes like you and what you're standing strong for,” wrote one user on Facebook.
However, Rapinoe’s political protest against the national anthem has also drawn vicious criticism and backlash online, despite also being lauded an “American hero.”
So t’s clear that while Rapinoe and her fellow USWNT battled their way to the World Cup championship— and won – their fight is far from over.
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/megan-rapinoe-sue-bird-tribute-uswnt-womens-soccer-team-world-cup-win-173329827.html