USWNT quiet again during national anthem ahead of World Cup match vs. Netherlands

O say can you sing?

For the U.S. Women’s National Team, apparently not.

Once again, a good portion of the USWNT’s starting 11 was silent during “The Star Spangled Banner” ahead of its second World Cup match against the Netherlands in Wellington, New Zealand.

Alex Morgan, Julie Ertz and Lindsey Horan were again among those who did sing along, but most of the 11 stood silently for the national anthem, as they did ahead of the opening match against Vietnam.

The Dutch team, by contrast, sang along with “Wilhelmus,” the national anthem of the Netherlands.

This continues the national team’s long-held feelings towards the anthem, as Megan Rapinoe has knelt during the song since 2016, saying during the last World Cup that she would never sing or put her hand over her heart again.

All but one player knelt during the anthem ahead of a 2021 match against Australia.

The U.S. is looking to become the only country to ever win a third consecutive World Cup title.