Womens Soccer World Cup and Trump Funny Memes

Twitter Flooded with Megan Rapinoe Memes, Jokes after Soccer Star Scores Goal in World Cup Quarterfinal

Megan Rapinoe continued to dominate Twitter conversations well into the weekend. The co-captain of the U.S. Women's National Team, whose months-old disdain for visiting the White House caught the ire of President Donald Trump last week, sparked a new meme this weekend after a photo of her celebrating a crucial goal went viral.

Originally posted by the FIFA Women's World Cup Account, the photo was taken moments after Rapinoe scored her first of two goals in Friday's quarterfinal defeat of host nation France — a win that moves the U.S. team forward for a match against England, set for Tuesday.

The snapshot depicts the co-captain standing victorious in front of a roaring crowd, with her arms and head held high.

Capitalizing on the triumphant moment, Twitter users quickly turned the photograph into a new meme celebrating their own big and small accomplishments. Others riffed on the contentious relationship between Trump and the soccer player.

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ANGqLJ7hZv
— roger bennett (@rogbennett) June 28, 2019

The birth of the online joke continued what has been a rather viral week for Rapinoe. A resurrected interview in which the athlete said "I'm not going to the f*cking white house" raised her profile, causing large swaths of the internet to learn about and celebrate her outspoken advocacy, which also includes remaining seated for the National Anthem.

On Thursday, Rapinoe said during a press conference that she stood by her statements—minus its profanity.

"I stand by the comments I made about not wanting to go to the White House, with the exception of the expletive – my mom would be very upset about that," Rapinoe said.

Trump had less kind words for the 33-year-old soccer player and lashed out against her on Twitter in a series of tweets.

"I am a big fan of the American Team, and Women's Soccer, but Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job!," Trump wrote. 'We haven't yet invited Megan or the team, but I am now inviting the TEAM, win or lose. Megan should never disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag, especially since so much has been done for her & the team. Be proud of the Flag that you wear. The USA is doing GREAT!"

....in our Country's history, and the poverty index is also best number EVER), leagues and teams love coming to the White House. I am a big fan of the American Team, and Women's Soccer, but Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job! We haven't yet....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2019

As Rapinoe came under increased scrutiny, her teammates came to her defense.

"I stand by @mPinoe & will sit this one out as well," Ali Krieger tweeted. "I don't support this administration nor their fight against LGBTQ+ citizens, immigrants & our most vulnerable."

In regards to the "President's" tweet today, I know women who you cannot control or grope anger you, but I stand by @mPinoe & will sit this one out as well. I don't support this administration nor their fight against LGBTQ+ citizens, immigrants & our most vulnerable.
— Ali Krieger (@alikrieger) June 26, 2019

Addressing the possible distraction the fracas may have caused the team, Krieger doubled down.

"It doesn't take lot of mindspace to tweet something like that, that's really important, and then refocus and turn it off," Krieger told USA Today. "Women can multitask. Imagine that, that we can do two things at once."