evidence: The reaction of a majority of players in the U.S. women's soccer team (USWNT) to the national anthem during the ongoing World Cup has sparked anger among some American fans who criticized them for not singing—though their stance was not new. [...] Most of the U.S. players were silent with their fists behind their backs. Only five players were standing and placed their hands over their hearts as the anthem played, while three sang along. [...] Criticism over not singing the national anthem was combined online with the kind of misogynistic comments that have followed and opposed the rise of women's soccer, with some saying that the team was bringing "shame" to the sport and calling the players "disgusting."