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By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
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Many members of the United States Women's National Team (USWNT) again remained silent as the national anthem played before their FIFA Women's World Cup game in Australia on Sunday.
The USWNT, the defending champions, were knocked out of the tournament after losing 5-4 to Sweden in a penalty shootout at Melbourne's Rectangular Stadium.
The team has attracted criticism from conservatives after some players chose not to sing the national anthem before games during the tournament's group stage.
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That continued on Sunday, as a number of players were seen not singing along as "The Star-Spangled Banner" played before their round of 16 clash against the Swedes.
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A majority of the U.S. team also chose not to sing along to the anthem prior to games against Vietnam, the Netherlands and Portugal.
They included star forward Megan Rapinoe, who told Yahoo Sports in 2019 that she would "probably never sing the national anthem again." She has also previously kneeled during the national anthem in support of former NFL player Colin Kaepernick's protests against police brutality.
Some took to social media to celebrate the team's loss, and linked it to players not singing the national anthem.
"Sweden wins! #USWNT LOSE! That's what you get for not respecting our National Anthem in international competition!" the Gays for Trump account wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Robert T Dombrowsky wrote: "I hope in 4 years we can field a team that actually cares about playing for their country and has the decency to respect our national anthem. For those players that did care I hope you come back stronger and for those that did not please leave."
Another user wrote that they were happy that Rapinoe "won't be subjected to the national anthem again. Go Sweden!"
Others suggested that it was those celebrating the team's loss that were being unpatriotic.
"Many unpatriotic Americans are celebrating the #USWNT losing because of a made up National Anthem scandal," one user wrote. "Don't know if they just hate America or are the common right wing incel hating on successful women."
Another wrote: "So many of the people celebrating the USWNT loss say it's because they aren't 'true patriots' but by those standards aren't the ppl celebrating just as bad? Don't they want blind loyalty? So shouldn't they be crushed that a team repping the USA lost?"
Update 8/6/23, 8:55 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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