USWNT player faces backlash after sharing anti-LGBTQ messages, controversial former teammate reacts

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A member of the United States women’s national team is apologizing after appearing to take a swipe at former teammate Megan Rapinoe with some anti-LGBTQ posts on social media.

In posts shared on TikTok during the last week of March, team midfielder Korbin Albert didn’t name Megan, an Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Cup soccer champion who’s also a noted LGBTQ+ advocate. Megan responded in an Instagram Story, though the retired star also did not mention Korbin by name in her ensuing takedown.

Still, it was quite clear for whom the messages were intended.

Click through to see what was said…

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During the last week of March, Korbin Albert, 20, re-posted several videos of a Christian worship space discussing how being gay and “feeling transgender” is wrong.

Korbin, who’s considered a rising star on the women’s national soccer team, previously posted that her “pronouns are U.S.A.”

She also once “liked” a message that celebrated Megan Rapinoe’s injury in her final soccer game. 

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In the wake of Korbin Albert’s most recent anti-LGBTQ post, Megan Rapinoe wrote on her Instagram Story, “To the 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? … Because if you aren’t, all you believe in is hate. And Kids are literally killing themselves because of this hate. Wake TF up! Yours Truly, #15.”

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Several United States women’s national soccer team players — including Lynn Williams, Kristie Mewis and now-retired midfielder Sam Mewis — applauded Megan Rapinoe for her social media post. Becky Sauerbrunn shared Megan’s words, adding, “well said.”

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Amid the backlash, Korbin Albert issued a mea culpa, writing, “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. 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. I know my actions have not lived up to that and for that I sincerely apologize,” she continued, adding, “It’s an honor and a privilege to get to play this sport and on the world stage and I promise to do better.”