The U.S. women’s soccer team won the World Cup on Sunday, but in the process continued its trend of creating controversy.

Minutes after the 2-0 game ended in Lyon, France, U.S. midfielder Allie Long was holding an American flag when forward Megan Rapinoe urged her to join in on a choreographed celebration for the cameras. . .

@ALLIE_LONG I understand the excitement of the moment, but please NEVER disrespect the 🇺🇸 flag by dropping it on the ground! pic.twitter.com/OdPJqAP6r4

— Poetic Spaniard (@PoeticSpaniard) July 7, 2019

U.S. player Kelley O’Hara, who was forced to the sidelines after a hard collision left her with concussion-like symptoms, quickly jumped in to pick up the flag. . .

Drop the flag for some self glory. Perfectly sums them up

— bluefan25 (@obijohntaynobi) July 8, 2019

I think it’s GREAT the woman’s soccer team won but don’t disrespect the American Flag by dragging it on the ground and dropping it just to take a picture. WAY too many damn men and women died to protect what that flag stands for.

— Matthew Foster (@trainthrivept) July 8, 2019

Hi @ALLIE_LONG we all want to celebrate this awesome victory with you but when players disrespect our flag, you make it impossible for the vast majority of the country. cc: @ussoccer @USWNT https://t.co/Uj6sTvZWgQ

— Ryan Petty (@rpetty) July 7, 2019

It wasn’t an accident. It was clearly a continuing of the disrespect for our flag and our country.

— Taking Back Our Country❌ (@mcleodmaga) July 8, 2019

The U.S. team has been mired in controversy since the beginning of the World Cup. After scoring the second goal in the World Cup for a 2-1 win over England last Tuesday, player Alex Morgan celebrated by pretending to drink a cup of tea, hoisting a pinkie in the air. (Read more from “U.S. Women’s Soccer Player Drops American Flag on Ground to Mug for Cameras” HERE)

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