An Open Letter to the United States Women’s National Team: Embrace the Power of Song
Dear members of the US Women’s National Team,
Let us begin by acknowledging an unwritten rule of soccer on the global stage: national teams sing their anthems at significant international tournaments. Your competitors all sing proudly, displaying unity and national pride. The Dutch women’s team, for instance, captivated onlookers as they wrapped their arms around each other and wholeheartedly sang “Het Wilhelmus.” Even the women’s team from Vietnam, a country that has only recently started valuing women’s soccer, stood together with hands firmly over their hearts, mustering up a stirring rendition of “Tien Quân Ca.”
It is worth noting that you used to sing as well. The fearless trailblazers who led the nation to World Cup glory in 1999 sang with passion, becoming an inspiration to countless generations of female soccer players. However, during your first game against Vietnam on July 22, 2023, the players elected not to sing. They also had to endure singing alongside the ’90s pop band Hanson. This brings to mind one of my fondest childhood memories: my mother’s amusing commentary on the national anthem portion of the gold-medal ceremony during the 2004 Olympics. Following their hard-fought victory against a formidable Brazilian team, your predecessors joyously belted out “The Star-Spangled Banner.” As a music teacher, my mother jokingly remarked, “Thank goodness they play soccer better than they can sing. They make a terrible chorus.” While my mother’s observation had validity, those “terrible singers” knew how to rally a nation. Despite their vocal limitations, they understood that their participation in that song symbolized something bigger than themselves. The anthem, like the team, belonged to the entire nation.
Of course, it is a reality that both the men’s and women’s national teams have always had a few notorious “non-singers” (yes, Landon Donovan, we’re looking at you). While it has been slightly disappointing, these silent players were exceptions to the general tradition: players and fans of national soccer teams typically sing the anthem together. However, this week, most of you stood, seeming indifferent and unified, not even attempting to mouth the words. What was once an exception has now seemingly become the rule. Nevertheless, many of us sang for you. From jam-packed watch parties across the country to the thousands of fans who traveled great distances to support you, the nation sang our anthem for you. And we would like to sing alongside you once again.
Let us make it clear that we cannot and should not force you to sing. Compelled speech is meaningless and goes against both our Constitution and the fundamental principles of being an American. We understand that simply choosing not to sing is less divisive than, for example, visibly protesting and causing a scene. However, the unique burden of representing a nation lies in your ability not only to avoid dividing us but also to bring us together. This responsibility weighs on you each time you step onto the pitch wearing the “USA” emblazoned jersey. Understand that this team, this jersey, and this anthem do not belong to you alone. They are greater than any individual; they transcend you.
As individuals who proudly sang with the “terrible choruses” that came before you, your apparent indifference creates divisions where unity should prevail. We are the nation represented in the crest above your hearts. Therefore, we implore you, please, sing our anthem with us.
Sincerely,
Amy Swearer
Senior Legal Fellow at the Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at the Heritage Foundation
Former College Soccer Player at the University of Nebraska
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