USWNT midfielder Korbin Albert apologizes after Megan Rapinoe criticism and backlash… admits post with anti-LGBTQ+ content was ‘insensitive and hurtful’

United States women’s national team midfielder Korbin Albert apologized Thursday after an anti-LGBTQ+ social media post appeared on her TikTok account.

In a post on his Instagram Story, Albert, 20, wrote: “I want to sincerely apologize for my actions on social media.” Liking and sharing posts that are offensive, insensitive, and hurtful was immature and disrespectful, which was never my intention.

“I am truly disappointed in myself and deeply regret the harm I have caused to my teammates, other players, fans, friends and anyone who has been offended.

‘I truly believe that everyone should feel safe and respected everywhere and on every field of play. I know that my actions have not been up to par and for that I sincerely apologize.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be able to play this sport on the world stage and I promise to do better.”

He posted this apology on his Instagram story, where he acknowledged his ‘hurtful’ actions.

The apology came in the wake of criticism from Megan Rapinoe, who did not specifically name Albert on her Instagram Story but is widely believed to have been talking about those posts.

Rapinoe wrote: “To the people who want to hide behind ‘my beliefs,’ I’d just ask one question: Are you making any moment in space safer, more inclusive, more complete, some semblance of the best, bringing out the best?” of each one? …because if you’re not, the only thing you believe in is hate. And children are literally killing themselves because of this hate. Wake up TF! Sincerely, #15.’

Veteran USWNT players shared Rapinoe’s post. USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn shared it with the caption “well said,” while other posts came from Lynn Williams, Kristie Mewis and now-retired midfielder Sam Mewis.

The most recent posts Albert shared were repeat posts from a Christian worship space discussing how being gay and “feeling transgender” is wrong.

Albert, seen as a rising star within the women’s national team, has posted similar content to her profile before, including a now-deleted post on her TikTok account from the Fourth of July weekend that shows her family and says “her pronouns are US.”

She also previously liked a post on Instagram that was revealed via a screenshot of a meme that read “God took time off to perform miracles to make sure Megan Rapinoe sprained her ankle on her last game”.

Rapinoe tore her Achilles tendon in the 2023 NWSL Championship match in just the third minute and watched her team, OL Reign, lose to Gotham FC on penalty kicks.

Albert currently wears jersey number 15, the one Rapinoe wore when she was with the USWNT.

Those posts from Albert sparked a backlash from former USWNT star Megan Rapinoe.

Albert, who wears the number 15 that Rapinoe wore with the USWNT, previously liked an Instagram post that mocked the midfielder for an injury she suffered in the final game of her career in 2023.

It’s a similar situation to the case of Jaelene Daniels (née Hinkle), whose openly anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs have seen her routinely impersonate the USWNT.

The women’s national team has long supported LGBTQ+ rights, and many members of the team identified at various times with that demographic.

But Albert and Daniels’ cases are significantly different.

Daniels once refused to appear with the USWNT when they wore rainbow numbers on the back of their jerseys to celebrate Pride Month in 2017. Albert, on the other hand, has not turned down a call-up to the team.

Since that 2017 incident, Daniels had received call-ups to the senior team, but his behavior continued, including when he did not participate in a Pride Match in 2022 for his club team, the North Carolina Courage.