United States women’s national team midfielder Korbin Albert has issued an apology after an anti-LGBTQ+ social media post appeared on her TikTok account – leading to severe backlash from Megan Rapinoe.

In a post to her Instagram story, Albert – aged 20 – wrote, ‘I want to sincerely apologize for my actions on social media. Liking and sharing posts that are offensive, insensitive and hurtful was immature and disrespectful which was never my intent.

‘I’m really disappointed in myself and am deeply sorry for the hurt that I have caused to my teammates, other players, fans, friends and anyone who was offended.

‘I truly believe that everyone should feel safe and respected everywhere and on all playing fields. I know my actions have not lived up to that and for that I sincerely apologize. 

‘It’s an honor and a privilege to get to play this sport and on the world stage and I promise to do better.’

Korbin Albert has issued an apology after anti-LGBTQ+ posts were uncovered on her accounts

She posted this apology to her Instagram story, where she acknowledged her ‘hurtful’ actions

The apology came in the aftermath of criticism from Megan Rapinoe – who did not specifically name Albert in her Instagram story, but it’s widely believed that she was talking about those posts.

Rapinoe wrote: ‘To the people who want to hide behind “my beliefs” I would just ask one question, are you making any time of space safer, more inclusive, more whole, any semblance of better, bringing the best out of anyone? … because if you aren’t all you believe in is hate. And Kids are literally killing themselves because of this hate. Wake TF up! Yours Truly, #15.’ 

Senior players within the USWNT shared Rapinoe’s post. USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn shared it with the caption ‘well said’ while other re-posts came from Lynn Williams, Kristie Mewis and now-retired midfielder Sam Mewis. 

The (now-deleted) posts that Albert shared were re-posts of a Christian worship space discussing how being gay and ‘feeling transgender’ is wrong.

Albert, seen as a rising star within the women’s national team,  has posted some similar content on her profile before – including a now-deleted post on her TikTok account from Fourth of July weekend showing her family and saying ‘their pronouns are U.S.A.’

She also previously ‘liked’ a post on Instagram that was revealed via a screencap of a meme that read ‘God taking time off performing miracles to make sure Megan Rapinoe sprains her ankle in her final ever game’. 

Rapinoe tore her Achilles tendon in the 2023 NWSL Championship game in just the third minute and watched as her team, OL Reign, lost to Gotham FC on penalty kicks.

Albert currently wears the No. 15 jersey – the one Rapinoe wore with her time in the USWNT.

Those posts from Albert garnered negative reaction from ex-USWNT star Megan Rapinoe

Rapinoe didn’t specifically name Albert, but challenged her to stop ‘hiding behind “my beliefs”‘

Albert, who wears the No. 15 Rapinoe wore with the USWNT, previously liked an Instagram post which mocked the midfielder for an injury she sustained in the final game of her career in 2023

It’s a similar situation to the case of Jaelene Daniels (née Hinkle), whose outspoken anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs have seen her routinely passed up for the USWNT.

The women’s national team has long been supportive of LGBTQ+ rights – with many members of the squad at various times identifying with that demographic.

But the cases of Albert and Daniels are significantly different.

Daniels once declined to appear with the USWNT when they wore rainbow numbers on the back of their jerseys to celebrate Pride Month in 2017. Albert, contrastingly, has not declined a call-up to the team.

Since that 2017 incident, Daniels had received callups for the senior team – but her behavior continued, including when she sat out a Pride Match in 2022 for her club team, the North Carolina Courage.