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The Double Standard: U.S. Women's Soccer Team Faces Criticism for Celebrations

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Nyakundi Report

Newsroom 2 min read

This archive report was first published on 7 July 2019.

Published on July 7, 2019, the U.S. women's soccer team's dominance in the World Cup has been met with a mix of admiration and criticism. While their skills on the field are undeniable, their celebrations have been under scrutiny.

Ali Krieger's comment that the U.S. team is not only the best in the world but also the second-best sparked controversy. The team's decision to rotate players against Chile was seen as an act of presumption, with some questioning their humility.

However, the real issue lies in the double standard applied to female athletes. Megan Rapinoe's celebration after scoring against France was met with criticism, with some accusing her of being arrogant. But when asked about her celebration, Rapinoe pointed out that women are expected to be humble in their successes, while men are not.

She noted that women are often told to celebrate, but not too much, and that this expectation is not applied to men. This double standard is evident in the way the U.S. women's team is treated compared to other teams. While Sam Kerr was praised for her bluntness after Australia's win over Brazil, the U.S. team is criticized for its celebrations.

The criticism of the U.S. team's style is not just about their celebrations, but also about their perceived arrogance. However, as Rapinoe pointed out, this is a double standard that applies only to female athletes. The U.S. women's team is a talented and dominant force on the field, and their celebrations should not be the focus of criticism.

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