Barack Obama Shows Off Custom U.S. Women’s Soccer Jersey After Team’s World Cup Win
Former President Barack Obama took to Twitter to share a photo of himself holding a custom jersey to celebrate the U.S. women’s national soccer team’s World Cup win this weekend, The Hill reported.
“Yes! Fourth star. Back to back. Congrats to the record breakers on the @USWNT, an incredible team that’s always pushing themselves—and the rest of us—to be even better,” the former president tweeted Sunday, following the team’s win. “Love this team. #OneNationOneTeam.”
The 44th president took to Twitter again three days later to share the photo of himself showing off a custom jersey. The jersey was emblazoned with his name, and sported the number 19 on the back.
Former first lady Michelle Obama also shared her well-wishes with the soccer team following their World Cup win Sunday.
Team co-captain Megan Rapinoe has been outspoken about her disdain for President Trump and his administration. She has repeatedly said she would not visit the White House following the team’s World Cup win, per The Hill.
There are even questions circulating as to whether Trump will invite the team. Although he once said he would invite them to the White House whether they won or lost Sunday’s game, he later backtracked on the invite, per The Washington Post.
Proud to rep America’s best team! Congrats @USWNT and thanks for being such a strong inspiration for women and girls—and everybody—all across the country. pic.twitter.com/9Gp6UTZhEE
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 10, 2019
So proud of you, Team USA—you inspire us all! #OneNationOneTeam https://t.co/YEHzyqOwZa
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) July 7, 2019
The 34-year-old soccer player has also defended her decision to kneel during the national anthem, showing solidarity with former San Fransisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. In 2016, Kaepernick famously refused to stand for the national anthem, citing the move as a protest against racial injustice. On Tuesday, Rapinoe told CNN‘s Anderson Cooper that kneeling during the national anthem was “difficult,” and that she hoped she would not have to do it in the future.
Megan Rapinoe says kneeling during the National Anthem was difficult, but not disrespectful, adding that she is hopeful there will be a day when she will not feel the need to kneel https://t.co/FSUr8pSaqo pic.twitter.com/FQhsvifXDg
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) July 10, 2019
Rapinoe said she’s accepted offers to visit Congress made by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, per The Hill.
CBS News reported on Tuesday that Pelosi had written to her colleagues and said she had extended an offer to the team to visit the Capitol. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also praised the team’s win, per CBS News.
Prior to the team’s win, President Trump took to Twitter to respond to Rapinoe’s claims that she wouldn’t visit the White House should the team win the World Cup.
“I am a big fan of the American Team, and Women’s Soccer, but Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job,” the president tweeted last month.
The women’s soccer team did visit the Obama White House after claiming the World Cup in 2015.
