The USWNT has come under fire after Korbin Albert was controversially selected for the 2024 Olympics in Paris – despite her sharing anti-LGBTQ+ social media posts.
The midfielder has been booed at recent national team games but she was one of the 18 players named to the team by coach Emma Hayes this week.
The selection raised eyebrows, given the backlash to Albert’s social media activity from her own teammates. And because two-time World Cup winner Alex Morgan was left off the roster.
On Thursday, the USWNT’s official account on X, formerly Twitter, published a post dedicated to each of the 18 players bound for Paris.
‘She calls Paris home, and that’s our mission,’ the team wrote alongside a picture Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Albert, who was making a heart gesture over the USA badge.
The USWNT has come under fire after Korbin Albert was selected for the 2024 Olympics
New United States women’s team coach Emma Hayes has defended her choice in Albert
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USWNT star Korbin Albert named to Emma Hayes' 18-player Olympic roster as Alex Morgan is OFF the team for Paris Games
The post sparked an angry reaction from many supporters. ‘Would rather have someone who won gold like Alex Morgan than a girl who uses homophobic slurs,’ one wrote.
‘Can’t wait to hear the boos through the tv!! I’ll be booing from home!’ another wrote. ‘Is it one of God’s miracles if she get injured?’ a third asked.
Albert previously reposted a video of a Christian worship space preaching against homosexuality and transsexuality.
In another TikTok post – that has since been deleted – Albert showed her family saying ‘their pronouns are USA,’ during the Fourth of July weekend.
Screengrabs showed the midfielder also previously ‘liked’ a post that appeared to celebrate Megan Rapinoe’s injury in the 2023 NWSL championship – her final ever game.
There were supporters who backed Albert’s selection but plenty of others fired shots at the midfielder – and at Hayes.
‘Should have been forced to stay home and attend Pride rallies and counseling. Fans are going to boo her no matter how well she plays on the field until she lets her actions speak instead of her words,’ one wrote.
‘So far her actions have disgraced our national teams and what we stand for.’
Another added: ‘Bigotry and hatred should have no place on the USWNT. This was the wrong decision.’