Megan Rapinoe took a seat courtside for a LeBron James masterclass in Brooklyn on Sunday night, her first public appearance since criticizing an American soccer player for an anti-LGBT post on TikTok.
Rapinoe had one of the best seats in the house as James scored 40 points to propel the Lakers to a 116-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
The 38-year-old appeared on the jumbotron during a break in the game alongside Tommy Alter.
It marks Rapinoe’s first public appearance since she criticized USWNT player Korbin Albert for sharing a new TikTok post from a Christian worship space discussing how being gay and “feeling transgender” is wrong.
Rapinoe posted a critical message on her Instagram Story in response that did not directly name Albert, but later confirmed to The Athletic that she was the intended recipient.
Megan Rapinoe had a courtside seat for the Lakers vs Nets game in Brooklyn on Sunday night
Rapinoe, 38, sat next to Tommy Alter to watch the NBA game
She and Sue Bird posed for a photo with Arij Mikati after the game in Brooklyn on Sunday.
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 are 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.
Albert, 20, 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 showing her family and says: “your pronouns are USA”
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.
Rapinoe, however, appeared to come under fire on Friday by former U.S. international Alexi Lalas, who is now an analyst for FOX Sports.
It is the first time Rapinoe has been seen since she called out American player Korbin Albert.
Rapinoe criticized Albert in a statement on her own Instagram account this week.
Rapinoe did not specifically name Albert, but challenged her to stop “hiding behind ‘my beliefs.'”
Lalas retweeted a post on Outkick’s X reminding his followers that Rapinoe had previously disparaged Christianity and then responded to a fan about Albert: ‘She apologized and is a talented young American player with a bright future.
But if there is any proof of purity for the #USWNT, I would like to see it. Because I would like to add some questions.’
He then shared a highlight clip from Albert’s career and said: ‘Korbin Albert, 20, playing for PSG, is part of a new young generation of #USWNT players. The future is bright.’
Lalas was then asked if Albert’s views risk creating conflict on American teams in the future.
‘If we needed every player to like, respect and/or agree with everyone on their team, we would never play a game. The players are ruthless… at least the good ones,” he stated.
‘Maybe she’s not part of the best collection of players. But that best compilation is based on results.
“You don’t have to like your teammates, you just have to believe they can do the job.” Great players are ruthless. They compartmentalize, forgive and/or forget in exchange for winning.”
Rapinoe, a two-time World Cup winner with the United States in her playing career, tore her Achilles tendon in her final game as a player, on OL Reign. She later said that her injury was proof that God does not exist.
Last year, when the United States crashed out of the World Cup in the round of 16 on penalties to Sweden (Rapinoe laughed after missing her own penalty), Lalas said she hoped the USWNT would become more palatable in the new era without Rapinoe.
Alexi Lalas was critical of Rapinoe on social networks, although without naming her directly
When Rapinoe got injured in her last game, she said it was proof that God doesn’t exist.
‘Don’t kill the messenger. This #USWNT is polarizing,” he stated. ‘Politics, causes, stances and behavior have made this team unpalatable to a portion of America.
‘This team has built its brand and gained its power to be the best/win. “If that goes away, they risk becoming irrelevant.”
Rapinoe, like most of her U.S. teammates, did not sing the national anthem before games. She also knelt during the national anthem during her time as an international player.
In a post on his Instagram Story on Thursday night, Albert 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 I would never It was my intention.
“I am truly disappointed in myself and deeply sorry for the harm I have caused to my teammates, other players, fans, friends and anyone who has been offended.”