ussoccer

Well, let's start with your premise, and then get into other explanations. The idea that this happened because the team is "too woke" is a common right wing talking point here in the US that is rooted in misogyny. I can't speak for your own views, but you should be aware that the argument will draw strong reactions.

In any case, the argument makes no sense. Implying that a group of female athletes are getting some karmic reward, or that they can't handle simultaneously wanting fair pay or supporting LGBTQ+ rights is insulting. There do not appear to be any intra-team divisions about it, so it's not causing locker room strife. And their equal pay agreement was signed well before the WC. In fact, this is the least "political" environment for the team on a long time. Remember when they won in 2019? The sitting president was publicly criticizing their star player, they had long already been outspoken about equal pay and other issues, and Megan Rapinoe - player of the tournament - was long vilified by the alt right for kneeling during the anthem in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick and in support of racial justice. So, during an even more politically charged time, the team won it all. And it's not like they're the only team who have had off the field things to think about. Spain and England, the two teams in the final, have had plenty of turmoil and upheaval of their own.

So, the argument makes no sense. What we should be taking about is how the team lost by literal millimeters; if the bounce goes differently, maybe the entire narrative changes. Or the clear managerial shortcomings of their coach. Or the lack of goal scoring, even prior to the WC, which was exacerbated by Mal Swanson's absence, as one of several key players out with injury. Rose Lavelle's limited minutes due to injury and absence from the last match on a suspension. The narrowing gap between the US and other nations over time, as women's soccer has continued to grow globally. The systematic failure of the US soccer program, down to youth levels, which have resulted in a lack of success for our junior players in recent years as well. And on, and on. The sort of reductionist "it's all because they're woke" argument distracts from the real issues on the pitch and off.