Korbin Albert's past homophobic and bigoted comments casts doubt on USWNT future
The 20-year-old's social media activity surfaced this week and includes homophobic content as well as mocking Megan Rapinoe, who fought for the equal pay Albert now enjoys on the USWNT.
The news of who was called up by the U.S. women’s national team for the SheBelieves was soon overshadowed this week by PSG and U.S. midfielder Korbin Albert’s past homophobic and insensitive social media posts, likes, and comments.
WoSo Twitter/X was ablaze midweek when anti-LGBTQ+ content from Albert’s TikTok surfaced. To wit:
Albert shared a video from a Christian sermon that described being gay and “feeling transgender” as wrong.
On the Fourth of July weekend, Albert participated in a video with her family where they took turns stating that “their pronouns are U.S.A.”
In November 2023, during the NWSL championship, Albert liked on Instagram via a screencap, with a post from a meme account that read “God taking time off performing miracles to make sure Megan Rapinoe sprains her ankle in her final ever game,” when Rapinoe had to be substituted in her final professional game after picking up an injury early in the NWSL final.
Albert, who has seven caps for the U.S. and was included in the SheBelieves Cup roster, wears Rapinoe’s No. 15. And the USWNT legend posted a message on her Instagram feed that was later confirmed to be in response to Albert’s past actions.
Rapinoe wrote: "For people who want to hide behind'my beliefs,' I would just ask one question: are you making any type 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 hatred. Wake TF up!"
Rapinoe signed the note, "Yours, Truly, #15"—with the number she wore and Albert now wears, underscored. Current and former USWNTers Becky Sauerbrunn, Lynn Williams, Sam Mewis, and Kristie Mewis shared Rapinoe’s message.
Albert responded soon with her own Instagram post, writing:
“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. 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 play this sport on the world stage, and I promise to do better.”
The ethos of the USWNT is one built on equality and acceptance, however you may identify. Any form of bigotry towards someone's gender, sexual orientation, race, or anything else is unacceptable. Albert apologized to “anyone who was offended,” but she needs to own up that she was the one who offended so many with her pernicious words aimed at the LGBTQ+ community, who she did not even explicitly mention in her apology. Moreover, what she said goes against all that the USWNT stands for and has stood for.
The USWNT is also built on unity. Albert liking a post that mocks Rapinoe getting injured defies the previous fights the USWNT has gone through. The most notable one was equal pay, which Rapinoe spearheaded and Albert and the rest of the USWNT now enjoy.
Albert can be religious. Albert can be a conservative thinker. But by no means is it acceptable to believe that being gay and transgender, in her words, “is wrong,” or to be downright mean to another person, especially if that person is a USWNT legend in Rapinoe who fought for the rights that Albert now benefits from.
Albert released her apology and tried to put this situation behind her as she returned to the USWNT camp under awkward circumstances. But, as Maya Angelou said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."
Albert showed us who she is. Or at least who she was. I do not want to cancel her or shut her out of the U.S. team at only 20 years old. But she has to show that her apology was not an empty gesture. She may get an earful from the senior members of the USWNT when she comes in for camp this week. And she deserves it because her past actions, which were as recent as last November, are objectionable.
The real litmus test will be if she changes her view. She is a promising player who can be a part of the USWNT for a long time. But she has to prove that she deserves it with her actions and words, along with her play on the pitch.
Albert's journey back to acceptance within the USWNT and among its fans will require more than apologies; it will necessitate tangible actions, acceptance of all humans and a heartfelt commitment to the principles the U.S. team embodies.
The USWNT wears jerseys with rainbow numbers during Pride Month in June. If Albert denies participating or refuses to wear the jersey, like Jaelene Daniels did, then we can see her true colors. That is not solely applicable to the colors of the rainbow flag but also to her discriminatory character. A refusal to participate would signal an unwillingness to stand up for basic human rights.
And if she does not change her tune, then she has no place on the team.