Megan Rapinoe was booed when she came in during the 64th minute of the United States' 3-1 win over Netherlands in an exhibition women's soccer game at the Georgia Dome on Sunday.
She was booed every time she touched the ball, though there were a few cheers also.
She went through the mixed zone after Sunday’s game, where a few reporters asked her these questions (I’m doing this as a Q&A so that the context of the questions and her answers are preserved as they were asked and answered):
Q: You’ve made it clear that this is not about you. These issues you are trying to talk about are long-term issues not short-term issues. What is your takeaway from these past week, what you’ve experienced with this team and going through all of this?
A: Positive, I think, to be honest. I’ve had a lot of conversations with teammates, and Aaron (Heifetz, the team’s communications director) – I’m seeing him way more than I need to – and with Jill (Ellis, the team’s coach).
I think the conversation at large is really kind of picking up steam. I read something great today on twitter, I can’t remember who to credit it to. Basically, it was like the negative you can see on twitter is immediate and it totally outsprints the positive that can actually be done and the time that it can be done. You can’t just fix everything in one second. Obviously backlash can come just like that (snaps her fingers).
I think taking that in stride and understand and respecting and appreciating that people can be upset about what I’m talking about or the fact that I’m kneeling, but also knowing that there’s so much support out there and I feel that. That’s important for me to kind of take a step back and see both sides and kind of get a bigger picture that the conversation is happening and it’s going in a positive direction and more people are engaged in the issues that I’m talking about.
Q: Were there any conversations between Thursday night and tonight with Jill, with U.S. Soccer about what you would do, or were you left to your own process with this?
A: Yes. Aaron and Jill and I met and talked through my process. I haven’t talked to U.S. Soccer outside of these guys, and they are the ones here with me. I would expect that would be who I would talk to. Yes, I want to keep everybody in the loops. It’s sort of an ongoing process and thought process and what’s the best way to handle everything. And for me what’s the best way moving forward and obviously it affects everyone. I want to appreciate and make sure that I’m keeping everyone in the loop and hearing their opinions and giving mine as well.
Q: What will it take for you to be satisfied so that you will no longer have to kneel?
A: (Pauses) I don’t know why that particularly has to be the most important thing in this. I think in a large way it’s kind of like, ‘OK, you’ve made your point.’ But I don’t necessarily feel like that.
I don’t know exactly what that looks like. Do I kneel forever? I don’t know. Probably not. But I think until I can be more effective in other ways then this seems appropriate to me.
Q: Are you surprised by the mixed reactions? Do you pay attention to it when you are playing on the field?
A: Unfortunately I can’t say no because then I would be quoted as saying I was very cognizant of the crowd.
Yes. I heard a little bit and in Columbus as well. There were boos tonight, boos and cheers tonight. I totally respect that. You know, people feel a certain well. I want to be respected for the way I feel. I think that’s their right to do that and I totally understand that. That being said there’s so many people that support me and have said that. Whether it’s fans yelling from the field or when I’m signing or whatever. It’s kind of both. I appreciate the ability that we have to do both.
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