USWNT star Alex Morgan ruffled some feathers during the United States women’s national team’s FIFA Women’s World Cup semifinal win over England when she celebrated a goal by sipping on some tea. Online critics said that Morgan’s celebration was distasteful and inappropriate, but Morgan has another idea on why people are upset.
According to Morgan, the main reason she is being criticized for celebrating the World Cup goal — which came on her birthday — is a sexist double-standard.
“I feel that there is some sort of double standard for females in sports to feel like we have to be humble in our successes and have to celebrate, but not too much or in a limited fashion,” Morgan said, via ESPN.com.
“You see men celebrating all over the world in big tournaments, grabbing their sacks or whatever it is. And when I look at sipping a cup of tea, I am a little taken aback by the criticism.”
And that’s the tea.
Alex Morgan scores her first goal since the opening game and retakes the lead in the Golden Boot race (6 goals, 3 assists)
She's the first player in #FIFAWWC history to score on her birthday
pic.twitter.com/EGWBNIyaxI
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2019
Morgan isn’t the only USWNT star to have some issues stemming from recent events. Co-captain Megan Rapinoe recently sounded off on FIFA for scheduling the Copa America and Gold Cup men’s finals on the same day as the Women’s World Cup final.
“It’s ridiculous, and disappointing, to be honest,” Rapinoe said while speaking to the media.
Former United States midfielder Aly Wagner, who is a FOX Sports analyst for the Women’s World Cup, added: “It’s terrible. It is so disturbing to me that the Women’s World Cup does not have its own day to stand on its own and have a final to highlight these tremendous athletes and their work and their accomplishment. They wouldn’t dream of doing it to the men. Why would they do it to the women?”
Following the win, the United States is now waiting for the winner of the Netherlands vs. Sweden semifinal match on Wednesday, July 3. The USWNT and winner of Wednesday’s game will then face off in the World Cup Final on Sunday, July 7.
England, meanwhile, will be taking on the loser of Netherlands vs. Sweden a day prior in the third-place game.
