Former US women's football star Megan Rapinoe has publicly criticised the slogan chosen by the United States men's national team (USMNT) for their upcoming home World Cup campaign, branding it a negative message about the squad's own ambitions.
A Slogan Sparks Controversy
The USMNT recently unveiled 'Never Chase Reality' as its defining motto ahead of co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The phrase was launched with a 90-second film narrated by actor Marcello Hernandez, who described it as a call to "ignore the odds and dare to dream."
However, Rapinoe, a World Cup winner and one of the sport's most prominent voices, took issue with the phrase during a recent episode of her podcast, 'A Touch More.' She co-hosts the show with her partner Sue Bird and sportscaster Katie Nolan.
"The team's slogan going into the World Cup... is 'Never chase reality.' I was like, guys, I don't think it's saying what you think it's saying," Rapinoe stated. "To me, it said like you already think you're not good. So, I didn't like that."
She suggested the team would have been better served by a simpler, more positive phrase like 'Dream big.'
Defence and Context of the Campaign
The campaign's narrator, Marcello Hernandez, defended the slogan's intent. "This campaign isn't just about soccer; it's about the American dream," he explained in the promotional release. "Never chasing reality means ignoring the odds and daring to dream."
Hernandez, a lifelong football fan, expressed his honour at being involved, stating he had played from age four through college and followed both national teams since childhood.
The criticism arrives as the USMNT prepares for a crucial tournament on home soil. Managed by Mauricio Pochettino, the team has been drawn in Group D alongside Australia, Paraguay, and one of Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo.
Their schedule is as follows:
- They open their campaign against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on June 12th at 9pm EDT.
- They then travel to face Australia in Seattle on June 19th.
- The final group game will be back in Los Angeles on June 25th at 10pm EDT against the remaining qualifier.
Rapinoe's History of Vocal Advocacy
This is not the first time Megan Rapinoe has used her platform to comment on high-profile issues. The former US captain, who earned 203 international caps and led her team to World Cup glory in 2015 and 2019, has a long record of activism.
She has been a consistent critic of former President Donald Trump, particularly after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Rapinoe has also been a staunch supporter of transgender rights in sports.
In 2023, she joined over 40 professional athletes in signing a letter opposing bills aimed at excluding trans athletes from women's competitions, calling such measures "cruel and depraved." This stance placed her at the centre of the national debate surrounding athletes like swimmer Lia Thomas.
Her latest comments on the USMNT's marketing strategy highlight her continued engagement with the sport's cultural and political dimensions, even in retirement.
