Rapinoe accepts AOC invitation after nixing Trump’s
LYON, France — Megan Rapinoe may not go to the White House if the United States wins the 2019 Women’s World Cup, but she did accept an invitation to visit the House of Representatives.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made the offer on Twitter to Rapinoe and the entire USWNT after it beat France, 2-1, Friday night to advance to the tournament semifinals.
“It may not be the White House, but we’d be happy to welcome @mPinoe & the entire #USWMNT for a tour of the House of Representatives anytime they’d like,” AOC wrote.
Rapinoe responded about an hour later, “Consider it done.”
The exchange came after president Donald Trump called out Rapinoe on Twitter for saying she would not visit the White House. Rapinoe made the comment during an interview months ago that began recirculating on social media ahead of the big World Cup quarterfinal match against France.
Trump said Rapinoe should “win first before she talks,” and then said the team hadn’t yet been invited but now are invited win or lose.
Rapinoe scored both of the United States’ goals against France. The USWNT now will play England Tuesday in a 1 p.m. semifinal airing on Fox.
TV: The Americans’ 2-1 victory over France set a record for the most-watched Women’s World Cup quarterfinal match on U.S. English-language television.
Fox drew 6.12 million viewers for Friday’s match and peaked at 8.24 million. It was the mostwatched English-language soccer telecast in the country since last year’s men’s World Cup final.
GOLD CUP: In Houston, Haiti reached the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the first time, overcoming a two-goal deficit to beat Canada 3-2 on Saturday night. The 101st-ranked Haitians will play Mexico or Costa Rica on Tuesday at Glendale, Ariz.
SATURDAY’S WWC QUARTERFINALS:
In Rennes, France, Stina Blackstenius scored the goahead goal just minutes into the second half and Sweden surprised second-ranked Germany, 2-1. … In Valenciennes, Vivianne Miedema and Stefanie van der Gragt headed in free kicks to send the Netherlands into its first semifinal with a 2-0 win over Italy.
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER: In St. Paul, Minn., Ike Opara, Hassani Dotson and Ethan Finlay scored their second goals of the season in the first half and Minnesota United coasted to a 7-1 victory over expansion FC Cincinnati on Saturday, the most goals in a game for the third-year club. Minnesota United hosts New Mexico United on July 10 in a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match. … In Washington, Wayne Rooney scored on a penalty kick in the 92nd minute to give D.C. United a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC. …Justin Meram scored his first two goals for host Atlanta United, netting the winner in the 83rd minute of a 2-1 win over Montreal. … Valentín Castellanos scored two goals in the last 20 minutes to lead host New York City FC past Philadelphia 4-2. … Teal Bunbury scored in the first minute of stoppage time to lift New England past Houston 2-1. … Chris Mueller and Tesho Akindele scored, Nani assisted on both goals and Orlando City beat host Columbus 2-0.