US soccer star Megan Rapinoe not starting World Cup semifinal

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(KMOX/AP) - The top scorer on the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team did not start Tuesday's World Cup semifinal game. Megan Rapinoe, who has been making headlines for speaking out against President Donald Trump and the White House in recent weeks, won't be in the starting lineup against England.

The Stars and Stripes' lineup was announced before the 2 p.m. CT kick off and Rapione, who was the co-leading scorer of the tournament going into Tuesday's game, was not in the lineup. The U.S. went on to win the game by a score of 2-1 and advance to the World Cup Final on Sunday in France. 

After the game, reporters learned Rapinoe was nursing a minor hamstring injury.

Before the game, a team spokesperson has reportedly refused to give an answer as to why she has been benched, when it was common for the team to make a comment when usual starters are left out of the lineup. 

A spokesman for the @USWNT said he cannot disclose the reason for Megan Rapinoe's benching in the biggest game of the tournament in which she is the co-leading scorer. This is unusual. When Becky Sauerbrunn and Julie Ertz did not start earlier in the @FIFAWWC we were told why.

— Kevin Baxter (@kbaxter11) July 2, 2019

A beat writer on the USWNT, Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated, believes the decision is "tactical" and not because of an injury.

Not hearing any indication that Rapinoe is injured, so this decision looks tactical with Ellis going for more speed/defensive cover with Press in Rapinoe's place. I would have preferred going 4-2-3-1 with Ertz on the left side of the 2 and keeping Rapinoe in the lineup.

— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) July 2, 2019

Rapinoe said last week, that she stands by previous comments that she would not visit the White House if the United States wins the Women's World Cup.

"I stand by the comments that I made about not wanting to go to the White House, with the exception of the expletive," she said. "My mom would be very upset about that."

Rapinoe spoke at a previously scheduled news conference a day after President Donald Trump called out the U.S. women's national team star on Twitter. Trump referenced a video that surfaced on Twitter in recent days, posting: "Megan should never disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag, especially since so much has been done for her & the team."

Trump said he would invite the U.S. team "win or lose."

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