There was a time when the country’s national soccer teams would train at the ARCO Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. It was probably around the same, general time that the amphitheater was known by its original name—Coors Amphitheater—which ought to give you an idea of just how long ago it was.
At that time training sessions open to the public featured a varied swath of onlookers watching professional soccer players practice. Black, brown, white, affluent, struggling, straight, gay, Democrat, Republican— the fans were diverse and colorful.
The national teams have moved on and while the U.S. soccer fans have no reason to visit Chula Vista anymore, they remain fans.
Diverse fans.
During global sporting events such as the Olympics and World Cup (the Women’s World Cup is currently being played through July 7 in France) a softer, relatively non-aggressive form of nationalism rears its head. In this country, whenever players wearing red, white and blue uniforms appear on screens chants of USA! USA! USA! rain down like sunbeams on the Sahara. Even those who don’t follow sports occasionally get caught up in the patriotism. Everyone loves Team USA.
Until they don’t.
Earlier this week U.S. Women’s National Team soccer player Megan Ripone was asked if she was excited about going to the White House. Her response: “I’m not going to the f— White House.”
The ground shaking thud you heard was the sound of self-described patriots hopping off the Team USA bandwagon. Reasons for the sudden exit include devotion to the current resident of the White House, Donald Trump, feelings that turning down an opportunity to attend the White House, regardless of its resident is rude and classless, and a wish that politics should be kept out of sports. Always.
Rapinoe and other members of Team USA have voiced their opposition to and dislike of Trump and his policies, specifically those that have been demeaning and harmful to the diverse population that lives in this country. In fact, a number of other professional athletes, from NFL players to NBA players, have voiced similar feelings and resolve to not visit the White House while Trump is office.
Though sports is often a welcome, brief respite from every day stresses and worries, it should be noted that it, too, is affected by politics.
It is politics and legislation that granted women equal rights to participate in sports as men do, that recognized members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer as equals to heterosexuals, and that forces the examination of a country’s values and character.
It is politics and its resulting legislation that allow protest and freedom of speech. Of ensuring the American way. Of protecting Team USA outside sports.
