The introduction of U.S. women’s national team midfielder Korbin Albert was met with some boos from the crowd in Commerce City, Colo. when she came on as a substitute in the USWNT’s 4-0 win over South Korea on the first day of Pride Month in the United States.
Albert shared anti-LGBTQ+ content on social media and subsequently apologized earlier this year after pressure from past and present USWNT players, including Megan Rapinoe. The latter’s criticism seemed especially pointed because Albert was the first player to wear the No. 15 for the USWNT after Rapinoe’s retirement. Albert switched to No. 5 on Saturday, which had rainbow-themed colors on the jersey as is tradition for U.S. games played during June.
Boos from the crowd were audible in the stadium and on the broadcast after the announcer mentioned Albert’s name when she came on for captain Lindsey Horan in the 71st minute.
Crowd boos as Korbin Albert replaces Lindsey Horan. Happy pride, everyone.#uswnt pic.twitter.com/lc0npsZjHG
— Arielle Orsuto (@ArielleOrsuto) June 1, 2024
Albert, 20, is a midfielder with French Division 1 Féminine club Paris Saint-Germain. She was part of the USWNT’s squad for the CONCACAF W Gold Cup and SheBelieves tournaments in addition to this month’s friendlies.
🇺🇸 🤝 🏳️🌈
Soccer is a space for everyone and we’re proud to celebrate our LGBTQ+ athletes and allies at today’s game. pic.twitter.com/BGR2ibpAGn
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 1, 2024
After the game, USWNT head coach Emma Hayes was asked about the impact that team leaders like Horan can have on a young group of players like Albert, with the U.S. naming its youngest starting lineup since April 2022 with an average age of 25.5 years and 45 appearances per player.
“We want to create an environment that’s tolerant, that’s respectful, that’s inclusive…I want you to know that I will always make sure I educate and do the right things in the background to make sure everybody adheres to that,” Hayes said. “I want to make sure our players, when they come out and play for us they feel supported by all of us. For me, that’s really really important.
“Happy Pride everyone.”
(Photo: Brad Smith/USSF via Getty Images)
