The stars of US women’s soccer at the World Cup opener remain mostly silent during the anthem, while the Vietnamese players proudly sing their anthem with their hands over their hearts

Much of the US women’s soccer team remained silent during the performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Friday’s opening game of the World Cup in New Zealand, leading critics to anger the players for a perceived lack of patriotism.

Before the 3-0 win against Vietnam to open Group E, six of eleven starting players decided against putting their hands on their hearts and instead kept their arms at their sides or behind their backs. Meanwhile, five others put their hands on her heart, including three – Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher and Lindsey Horan – who also sang the lyrics to the national anthem.

The Vietnamese women, on the other hand, all sang their anthem with their hands on their chests.

“Ugly Americans are showing their true colors once again,” one person wrote on Twitter. “They could learn a lot from the Vietnamese.”

“Absolute disgrace to the US!!” added another. “Ban them and get players who are proud to represent their country.”

The USA players line up for the national anthem ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup

The Vietnamese women all sang their anthem with their hands on their chests

“They play our NATION’s song!” yet another fan tweeted. “See how ALL the other teams react when they play their game!”

Critics have continued to eye the US women’s behavior during the anthem after former team captain Megan Rapinoe took a knee in protest of racist police brutality from 2016.

Rapinoe, who is now competing in her final World Cup, also said in 2019 that she would “never put my hand on my heart” and “never sing the national anthem again.”

All but one player knelt in protest ahead of a game against Australia in 2021, but the team have been falsely accused of turning their backs on the flag and a World War II veteran ahead of another game that year.

The reigning world champion stood at attention ahead of his 4-0 win at the July 2021 Olympics in Hartford, Connecticut as 98-year-old Pete DuPré performed a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Some US players put their hands on their hearts while singing the national anthem

Alex Morgan (centre) is pictured with his hand over his heart during the Friday anthem

While some players turned and faced the flag, others, such as Christen Press, remained forward facing DuPré. Some had their hands on their hearts, such as co-captain Alex Morgan, while another co-captain, Rapinoe, had her arms behind her back.

Photographs and video footage show that the players who turned away did so to face the Stars and Stripes flag at the other end of the stadium.

Separately, critics on social media accused American players of attacking DuPré, the country, or both.

As for the game, Sophia Smith and captain Lindsey Horan both scored as the USA clinched a relatively easy win over Vietnam on Friday.