Megan Rapinoe Explains Why U.S. Women's Team Was Better Prepared For Trump World Cup Drama

Megan Rapinoe expanded on how U.S. women’s World Cup rivals’ “Trump world” distractions may have affected focus after Donald Trump’s FIFA intervention. Speaking on her podcast, “A Touch More: The Beautiful Game,” Rapinoe said the men’s team was thrown off by the “circus” around Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension. FIFA later rescinded the ban after Trump pushed for a review, but Rapinoe argued the controversy created unnecessary attention at a critical time. She compared it with the scrutiny she and the U.S. women faced during their 2019 Women’s World Cup build-up, after filing an equal-pay lawsuit. Rapinoe also suggested the U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino’s style can thrive underdog pressure, and praised Belgium after a 4-1 Round of 16 defeat.