Alexi Lalas takes swipe at Megan Rapinoe and reminds fans how she has mocked Christianity

Alexi Lalas has appeared to take a swipe at Megan Rapinoe on X, after she called out US soccer player Korbin Albert over an anti-LGBT TikTok post.

Albert apologized in a separate social media statement on Thursday after sharing a now-deleted posts that Albert from a Christian worship space and discussed how being gay and ‘feeling transgender‘ is wrong.

LGBTQ+ advocate Megan Rapinoe led, while not specifically mentioning Albert – the criticism of her on social media on Thursday but The Athletic said Rapinoe had confirmed it was aimed at Albert.

On Friday Lalas, who played 96 times for the men’s team in 90s, took to X and responded to fans who were asking for his view.

He first retweeted a post from OutKick that referenced Rapinoe’s history of mocking Christianity, and then wrote back to a fan about Albert: ‘She apologized and she’s a talented young U.S. player with a bright future. 

Alexi Lalas has defended Korbin Albert after a Megan Rapinoe-led backlash against her

Megan Rapinoe (pictured with fiancee Sue Bird) led the criticism of Albert on social media

Albert, who plays club soccer for Paris Saint-Germain in France, is a rising star of the USWNT 

‘But if there is some purity test for the #USWNT, I’d like to see it. Because, I’d like to add some questions.’

He then shared a highlight reel from Albert’s career, saying: ‘20-year-old Korbin Albert playing for PSG, part of a new young generation of #USWNT players. The future is bright.’

Lalas was then Albert’s views risk creating conflict in US teams moving forward.

‘If we needed all players to like, respect, and/or agree with everyone on their team, we’d never play a game. Players are ruthless…at least the good ones,’ he said.

‘Maybe she isn’t part of best collection of players. But that best collection 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 return for winning.’

Rapinoe, a two-time World Cup winner with the US in her playing career, tore her Achilles in her final game as a player, at OL Reign. She said afterwards that her injury was proof that God doesn’t exist.

Last year, when the US crashed out of the World Cup at the last-16 stage on penalties to Sweden – Rapinoe laughed after missing her own spot kick – Lalas said he hoped the USWNT became more likeable in the new era without Rapinoe.

Rapinoe criticized Albert through a statement on her own Instagram account this week

Alexi Lalas appeared critical of Rapinoe on social media, albeit without naming her directly

‘Don’t kill the messenger. This #USWNT is polarizing,’ he said. ‘Politics, causes, stances, & behavior have made this team unlikeable to a portion of America. 

‘This team has built its brand and has derived its power from being the best/winning. If that goes away they risk becoming irrelevant.’

Rapinoe, along with most of her teammates with the USA, would not sing the national anthem before games. She also kneeled during the national anthem in her time as an international player.

In a post to her Instagram story on Thursday night, Albert – aged 20 – 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 was never my intent.

‘I’m really disappointed in myself and am deeply sorry for the hurt that I have caused to my teammates, other players, fans, friends and anyone who was offended.

When Rapinoe got injured in her last ever game, she said it was proof that God doesn’t exist

‘I truly believe that everyone should feel safe and respected everywhere and on all playing fields. I know my actions have not lived up to that and for that I sincerely apologize. 

‘It’s an honor and a privilege to get to play this sport and on the world stage and I promise to do better.’

It came after Rapinoe’s statement, which said: ‘To the people who want to hide behind “my beliefs” I would just ask one question, are you making any time of space safer, more inclusive, more whole, any semblance of better, bringing the best out of anyone? … because if you aren’t all you believe in is hate. 

‘And Kids are literally killing themselves because of this hate. Wake TF up! Yours Truly, #15.’