COMMERCE CITY — Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard on Tuesday said he agrees with the U.S. Soccer Federation’s new rule requiring all players to stand during the national anthem.
“I’m a firm believer that you should stand and respect the anthem and the flag, but that’s Tim Howard speaking,” Howard said. “I don’t speak for anybody else. That’s what I believe.”
U.S. women’s national team star Megan Rapinoe in September knelt during the national anthem before an NWSL match, in what she called “a little nod” to Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers quarterback who knelt during the national anthem this season to protest racial injustice in America.
Rapinoe later that month knelt for the anthem before a U.S. women’s national team match. U.S. Soccer issued a statement to ESPN saying it expected its players to stand for the anthem. Last month, the U.S. Soccer board of directors passed a rule requiring players to “stand respectfully” during the Star Spangled Banner, according to a report from a Fox Soccer TV analyst.
Rapinoe has since said she will follow the new rule.
“U.S. Soccer is an organization who are allowed to make rules,” Howard said. “Listen, I think if you’re going to wear the shirt, if it’s OK to play for the U.S. then surely it’s OK to stand for its anthem as well. Yeah, I’m OK with it.”
The Rapids’ designated player continues to work his way back from a November groin injury suffered in a U.S. World Cup qualifier against Mexico. Howard, who turned 38 Monday, would not rule out the possibility of suiting up Saturday against New York Red Bulls.
Howard also revealed Tuesday that he was nursing the groin injury heading into the Americans’ World Cup qualifier match against Mexico, but tried to play through it.
“We played L.A. (in the Western Conference semifinals) on Sunday, I think it was November 6, and then I was quite sore the rest of the week,” Howard said. “But it’s U.S./Mexico. Gotta go. Gotta play.”
