The problem with Alexi Lalas's ridiculous take on USWNT becoming 'irrelevant' if they stop winning

The moment the ball (barely) crossed the goal line in the USWNT’s World Cup Round of 16 loss to Sweden, narratives poured out from all corners of the internet.

We saw countless takes on how this team was “too woke” and “too outspoken” — all supporting the obnoxious conclusion that they deserved to be rooted against (you can deflate that one by looking at Sweden’s players speaking out on inequality).

But there was one that stuck in my craw: A tweet from FOX Sports’ Alexi Lalas, the former USMNT player turned analyst who once sent a tone-deaf tweet about how it took “courage to actually stand for the national anthem” in reference to a NWSL game before he deleted and walked it back.

Here’s what he said in response to how it was strange to see Americans celebrating an American team losing:

Don’t kill the messenger. This #USWNT is polarizing. Politics, causes, stances, & behavior have made this team unlikeable to a portion of America. This team has built its brand and has derived its power from being the best/winning. If that goes away they risk becoming irrelevant. https://t.co/J5yFxOuBet

— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) August 6, 2023

It’s that last bit that I can’t get away from.

Winning is NOT how the USWNT has “derived its power.” Collectively, the players on that team used their voices to speak out against injustice, to peacefully protest, to call for equal pay, and succeeded. Can’t get more American than that.

And they certainly won’t be irrelevant now that the team that won two World Cups in a row bowed out earlier than expected. In fact, it’s just the beginning.

The torch has been passed, the spark kindled. The next generation of players and younger fans understand that even stepping on to the national stage gives them the platform to speak out (and for those who don’t make it that far, they can join with countless others in support).

This rhetoric is tiring and gross, but I can’t imagine the team will do anything but laugh if it sees that tweet or the countless others sent by so many who wished ill upon the women’s team.

Because what Megan Rapinoe and her teammates have done will stand the test of time. Just like those on the current roster who was inspired when Brandi Chastain kicked the Cup-winner in 1999, there are so many who will know what it takes to make change in the world.

And it won’t take winning another World Cup to make that happen.