evidence: Before a July 5 match against Mexico, some members of the U.S. women’s soccer team turned toward the flag while a World War II veteran played the national anthem on his harmonica. But social media posts mischaracterized their actions by claiming they "turned their backs" on the veteran. [...] The U.S. Soccer communications team also responded to the social media claims, writing on Twitter that "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." [...] "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." U.S. Soccer Comms Twitter. 5 Jul 2021.