Because soccer isn't gay, but once in awhile it kinda is.
USWNT
Alex Morgan Talks to ESPN About Gay Athletes
05/15/13
Portland Thorns and US Women’s National Team forward Alex Morgan spoke with ESPN last week, and one of the topics was gay athletes:
On Robbie Rogers:
I remember watching Robbie in person at Columbus and he always caught my eye because he’s so fast. He’s quick. He’s a great soccer player. And I think that the US really needs someone who feels comfortable in their own skin and he is openly gay and he has semi come out of retirement right now training with Galaxy. So I hope he continues to feel comfortable and a team picks him up that he wants to play for. It looks good so far but all the best to Robbie.
US Soccer Releases New Kit Celebrating 100 Years
03/01/13
Any fashionista will tell you never to forget your roots. US Soccer has a new jersey that celebrates 100 years of the federation (although we fans only like to count the last 20 or so) with a crisp, simple design that looks anything but old fashioned to me.
The blue sleeves and collar give the look a sturdy frame. The bright white is a clean base; and the eye is drawn to the new badge immediately. Let’s talk about the badge, eh? Not many people love the current USA crest. The flying soccer ball is more little league anything else and the stars (which are meant to represent men’s, women’s, and youth programs) seem to others like we’re claiming championships we’ve never won.
Megan Rapinoe Talks Gay Rights at Sochi 2014
02/08/13
We’ve covered troubling anti-gay legislation in Russia on this blog before as it is the 2018 World Cup host, but it’s also the 2014 Winter Olympics host and USA Today talked to Megan Rapinoe about the legislation as she was an out Olympian this past summer.
“I had my girlfriend with me in London,” said soccer player Megan Rapinoe, whose U.S. team won the Olympic gold medal last summer. “If I was just a gay fan going to Sochi, I don’t know. If the law passes, I would definitely be breaking the law. Hopefully it won’t deter gay athletes from being who they are.”
Sochi 2014 will likely break the trend of having a Pride House at the Olympics that was started in Vancouver and London because of these laws. Lady Gaga was threatened with prosecution and Madonna was sued under the anti-gay “propaganda” laws, and activists in Russia have even been arrested for simply wearing rainbow suspenders.
Could this kind of affection cause trouble for athletes in Sochi?
Megan Rapinoe is Changing the Game with GLSEN
01/22/13
It’s No Name-Calling Week for GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), and Megan Rapinoe did a video for the group released by AOL for the occasion.
The USWNT, Seattle Reign, and Lyon midfielder talks about how biased language should not have a place on the field, in school, or anywhere else.
You can also tell GLSEN why you want to Change the Game with Megan Rapinoe and have a chance to with $500 in Nike goodies, soccer balls signed by Rapinoe, or GLSEN swag if your thoughts are used on their blog.
Megan Rapinoe Tribute Video
11/14/12
When Megan Rapinoe was honored by the LA Gay and Lesbian Center at their Anniversary Gala this past weekend, they put together a great tribute video for her.
The video includes messages from Tom Hanks and David Beckham as well as several young women who have been inspired by Rapinoe.
It’s pretty darned cool, even if Tom Hanks got the Women’s World Cup host country wrong.
Megan Rapinoe Honored by LA Gay & Lesbian Center
11/13/12
Congratulations are due to USWNT midfielder Megan Rapinoe, who was honored by the LA Gay and Lesbian Center at their Anniversary Gala this past weekend.
Rapinoe was the recipient of the Center’s Board of Directors Award for coming out as a high-profile athlete and for representing the USA as of the few out competitors at this past summer’s Olympic Games.
Fellow Olympian Lori Lindsey and other teammates joined Megan at the gala, and David Beckham sent greetings via video.
Here are Megan Rapinoe’s remarks upon receiving the award, which are very sweet and poignant. And she includes a great story about Lori Lindsey encouraging her to come out.
(Image from Amy LePeilbet’s Twitter feed)
The gay4soccer 2012 End of the Season Superlatives
10/25/12
It’s nearly playoffs time for Major League Soccer, and nominations for the various end of the season awards from the league are beginning to be revealed. But here at gay4soccer we don’t want to look at the traditional best players at each position, and other best of awards the league gives out officially.
We want to know who has the best butt in American soccer (among other things) in true yearbook senior superlative style.
Nominations can be from anywhere in North American soccer: Major League Soccer and other leagues, or men’s and women’s national teams.
And while there is plenty of silliness in our list, at the top is our first ever Ally of the Year Award.
So help us out in the next week by nominating your favorite players for awards. You can nominate in as few or as many categories as you’d like, and can even do the form twice if you have multiple ideas for one category. As we go through nominations, voting, and revealing the winners, we hope this is a fun process for everyone.
Thanks in advance for your help!
The nominations process is now closed. Voting will commence Monday, October 29.
Pia Sundhage’s Final Farewell
09/21/12
by gay4soccer
in USWNT
YouTube user heyyrebeccasuee was at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Wednesday night and captured the entire farewell to Pia Sundhage on camera.
The video, the singing, the victory lap. Go ahead, watch it and just try not to cry. You will fail.
Sarah Walsh’s Final International Goal
09/20/12
by gay4soccer
in USWNT
It was a good combination last night as the USA played Australia: Pia Sundhage’s final match as USA coach was a win, but Sarah Walsh was able to score in her final international appearance.
Best wishes for the future Sarah and we look forward to seeing you cheer on Megan in many games to come.
Pia Sundhage Receives Farewell Guitar, Sings Elvis
09/18/12
by gay4soccer
in USWNT
The US Women’s National Team had a special public farewell to departing coach Pia Sundhage this past Sunday at the Home Depot Center following their victory over Australia.
Christie Rampone and the rest of the team gave Sundhage a Taylor guitar, signed in gold Sharpie by all of the players. Naturally, she put it to use right away, serenading the crowd with a bit of Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog.”
Pia Sundhage is an avid music lover whose impromptu serenades are now quite famous. She sang Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” at the Olympic gold medal match and Simon and Garfunkel’s “59th Street Bridge Song” at a World Cup press conference last summer.
