U.S. women’s national team captain Lindsey Horan and veteran Alex Morgan released a prepared statement to the press on Wednesday, addressing the recent controversy surrounding young midfielder Korbin Albert’s social media activity. Albert had issued an apology the week prior for endorsing and sharing anti-LGBTQ posts online.
Horan began by expressing disappointment in Albert’s actions, emphasizing that they did not align with the USWNT’s long-standing commitment to integrity:
“We are compelled to address the regrettable situation involving Korbin that unfolded over the past week. Throughout the generations, we have tirelessly worked to uphold the integrity of this national team, and it’s deeply disheartening that this standard was not upheld. Our fans and supporters view us as a team they can stand behind, and it’s crucial that they feel heard and acknowledged.”
Morgan followed, indicating that there have been challenging discussions within the team:
“We are steadfast in our commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment, particularly as allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community. This platform allows us to champion causes that are important to us, a privilege we value immensely. We will continue to utilize this platform to advocate for important causes.
“It’s worth noting that we have engaged in internal discussions regarding this situation, which will remain confidential within the team. However, it’s important to recognize that we have never shied away from addressing difficult topics within our team.”
The two made their statements ahead of a scheduled virtual media session with fellow USWNT players Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario and opted not to field questions.
Last week, Albert, aged 20, attracted significant attention after it was noticed that she had shared various anti-LGBTQ content on her TikTok account and had liked a post making light of Megan Rapinoe’s injury during her farewell game last year.
Rapinoe responded with a forceful statement, although she did not mention Albert by name, questioning the inclusivity of the team’s environment. This statement garnered swift support from Becky Sauerbrunn, another USWNT captain. Horan, Morgan, Rapinoe, and Sauerbrunn have been prominent voices within the team’s leadership for several years.
Following Rapinoe’s statement, Albert issued an apology, acknowledging her actions as “immature and disrespectful”:
“I want to extend my sincere apologies for my behavior on social media. Liking and sharing posts that are offensive, insensitive, and hurtful was immature and disrespectful, which was never my intention.
“I deeply regret my actions and apologize for the pain I have caused my teammates, fellow players, fans, friends, and anyone who was offended.
“I firmly believe that everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in every setting, including on the field. I understand that my actions did not reflect this belief, and for that, I am truly sorry. It’s an honor to represent my country on the world stage, and I am committed to doing better.”
This incident comes shortly after Albert’s standout performance at the W Gold Cup and just months before the USWNT competes in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Despite her potential significance to the team’s future, Albert, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, has had to confront difficult questions in the aftermath of this controversy.
