Some players appeared to face away from the harmonica-playing Pete DuPré, a WWII Veteran
U.S. Soccer disputed allegations the women’s national team disrespected a World War II Veteran and the American flag before their Olympic send-off match against Mexico on Monday.
A video circulated on Twitter showing some of the U.S. players facing away from the harmonica-playing Pete DuPré while other team members faced forward. Some players had their hands behind their backs while others had their hands placed on their hearts.
And while anger and outrage grew, U.S. Soccer said it was misplaced.
"To be clear, no one turned their back on WWII Veteran Pete DuPré during tonight's anthem. Some USWNT players were simply looking at the flag on a pole in one end of the stadium. The players all love Pete, thanked him individually after the game and signed a ball for him," the organization tweeted.
"This is respect. Each and every player waited for their opportunity to come up to Pete post-game before getting on the bus, said hello, thanked him and signed his ball," U.S. Soccer added.
Another video showed the players signing DuPré’s soccer ball, including Megan Rapinoe and Crystal Dunn.
The viral video trashing the U.S. team was later deleted. It was later discovered that the flag was toward the players’ right side.
When the anthem was over, every player on the U.S. team clapped for DuPré.
The U.S. would win the match, 4-0.
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