USWNT captains Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan addressed midfielder Korbin Albert’s social media activity on Wednesday, opening their SheBelieves Cup media appearance with a series of statements on the state of the team.
“We just want to address the disappointing situation regarding Korbin that has unfolded over this past week," Horan began. "We’ve worked extremely hard to uphold the integrity of this national team through all of the generations, and we are extremely, extremely sad that this standard was not upheld.
"Our fans and our supporters feel like this is a team that they can rally behind, and it’s so important that they feel and continue to feel undeniably heard and seen.”
Albert, Horan and Morgan are all in camp for the USWNT as they prepare for the SheBelieves Cup, which starts this weekend.
Early last week, previous social media activity from Albert, who plays for both the USWNT and overseas for Paris Saint-Germain, was surfaced by fans. It included Albert sharing a video from a Christian sermon that expressed anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment. Screengrabs also surfaced of Albert liking a post that appeared to make light of former USWNT star Megan Rapinoe’s Achilles injury that happened in her final professional game.
Albert, like Rapinoe, wears No. 15 for the USWNT. She received her first senior call-up last November, after Rapinoe retired.
Rapinoe spoke out condemning the posts, asking if such posts are “making any time of space safer, more inclusive … bringing the best out of anyone?”
Both current and former USWNT teammates, including long-time captain Becky Sauerbrunn, Lynn Williams and Abby Dahlkemper, reshared Rapinoe's post.
Rapinoe later confirmed to The Athletic that the post was in response to Albert’s social media activity, but also said that her focus was on protecting queer lives and sharing concerns over how online activity and anti-trans sentiment can have real-world consequences.
Albert later apologized, writing that the activity was “immature and disrespectful”:
“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,” she said, in part. “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.”
On Wednesday, Morgan told reporters that the USWNT is committed to “maintaining a safe and respectful space, especially as allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community.”
"This platform has given us an opportunity to highlight causes that matter to us — something we never take for granted. And we'll keep using this platform to give attention to causes that are important to us," she said. "It's also important to note we've had internal discussions around the situation and that will stay within the team. … We have never shied away from hard conversations within this team."
Mallory Swanson also spoke with the media, reaffirming that the conversations had happened.
“We’ve had internal conversations and ultimately, those just stay internal,” Swanson said.
