The celebration of a historic Olympic gold medal for the U.S. men's hockey team has been clouded by off-ice controversy, drawing sharp criticism from one of America's most prominent soccer stars. Megan Rapinoe, the two-time World Cup champion known for speaking her mind, has taken aim at the hockey players for what she sees as a major misstep following their victory at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.
A Golden Moment Overshadowed
After a thrilling final victory over rival Canada, the team received a congratulatory call from then-President Donald Trump. During that call, Trump made a remark about the U.S. women's hockey team—who also won gold—suggesting he'd "probably be impeached" if he invited them to the White House. The women's team later declined an invitation citing scheduling conflicts, while the men's team attended a Trump-era State of the Union address, a decision that sparked immediate debate.
On her podcast "A Touch More," Rapinoe delivered a blistering assessment. She argued the players allowed their triumphant achievement to be tarnished. "In what I like to call a classic 'ripping defeat from the jaws of victory,' the United States men's hockey team, in their utter moment of glory, childhood dreams come true, sensational, ruined it for themselves," Rapinoe declared. "They allowed themselves to be co-opted by a clown. And now you're a clown. You look like a clown."
Respect for Fellow Champions Questioned
Rapinoe's core issue centered on the perceived lack of solidarity and respect for the women's team, who accomplished the same feat. She questioned why the men didn't defend their fellow athletes. "Why don't you respect you more than to have that moment be taken by someone who for no reason at all takes a huge swing and a jab at women who did the exact same thing as you did," she said, referring to Trump's comment. She emphasized that the joke wasn't funny and criticized the overall scene, mentioning former Trump aide Kash Patel celebrating in the locker room.
The backlash prompted members of the men's team to issue public apologies. Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy expressed regret for the team's initial reaction. "Certainly sorry for how we responded to it in that moment. Things just happened really quick there," McAvoy stated. "It's certainly not reflective of how we feel and look at them and their accomplishments."
Goaltender Jeremy Swayman echoed the sentiment, acknowledging a mistake was made. "We should've reacted differently," Swayman said. "We know that we are so excited for the women's team. We have so much respect for the women's team. To share that gold medal with them is something we're forever grateful for."
Drama Beyond the Ice
This incident highlights the ongoing intersection of sports, politics, and social responsibility that modern athletes navigate. The men's team found themselves in a whirlwind, their on-ice success suddenly competing with a political firestorm for headlines. While the core facts of their Olympic victory remain, the narrative around it has become complex.
Despite the very public criticism and apologies, reports suggest the men's and women's national hockey programs remain on good terms professionally. The shared experience of winning gold for their country is a powerful bond, though this episode underscores the different pressures and scrutiny teams can face.
Rapinoe's comments ensure the conversation will continue, framing the team's post-victory choices as a cautionary tale about protecting a legacy. For fans, the story is no longer just about a win over Canada, but about how champions conduct themselves when the game is over and the spotlight shines for different reasons.
