U.S. women’s national soccer team stars Kelley O’Hara and Allie Long may have to work on Friday, but the two teammates are hoping to spare their fans from the same fate.
Ahead of their crucial World Cup quarterfinals against the host nation, France, O’Hara and Long posted a hand-written note on social media, asking for employers to give fans the day off so they can enjoy the game.
‘In case you’re living under a rock, this Friday, June 28 is our World Cup quarterfinal versus France and it’s gonna be a big one,’ read the note, which the two posted on Instagram. ‘We kindly ask that you give every employee the day off so that they can eat a hearty lunch, get emotionally ready, bust out all their USA gear, and mentally prep for what will be an epic game.’
The note concluded: ‘They will be back on Monday. Maybe.’
U.S. women’s soccer team players Kelley O’Hara and Allie Long penned an open letter to employers, asking them to give fans the day off so they can watch Friday’s match with France. In the Instagram caption, the team’s social media manager wrote: ‘We want you with U.S. tomorrow, no matter what, so Kelley and Allie wrote you a totally legit excuse note’
Kelley O’Hara (right) signed the note, ‘Worm,’ which is the nickname given to her by teammate Alex Morgan. According to the team’s website, the moniker came about because O’Hara is ‘lean, fit and petite,’ and because ‘she also eats salads.’
O’Hara signed the note, ‘Worm,’ which is the nickname given to her by teammate Alex Morgan. According to the team’s website, the moniker came about because O’Hara is ‘lean, fit and petite,’ and because ‘she also eats salads.’
In the Instagram caption, the team’s social media manager wrote: ‘we want you with U.S. tomorrow, no matter what, so Kelley and Allie wrote you a totally legit excuse note.’
With a win on Friday, the U.S. would move on to face England in the semifinals on Tuesday, July 3.
Having previously won three World Cups, the Americans were the favorites entering the tournament, and have looked every bit the part. After their record-breaking 13-0 win over Thailand in the Group F opener – when they were widely criticized for elaborately celebrating each of the goals – the U.S. women have gone on to beat Chile and rival Sweden by a combined 5-0.
Two penalty kicks from captain Megan Rapinoe helped propel the U.S. to a win over upstart Spain in the round of 16.
As for Friday’s game in Paris, the country is in the midst of a heatwave and temperatures are expected to soar into the 90s, although a 9pm local time start should bring some cooling.
Kelley OHara (5) celebrates with fans in the stands after defeating Chile in group stage play
Les Bleues (the nickname for France’s team), ranked No. 4 in the world, finished atop its group before overcoming a determined challenge from Brazil on Sunday night to reach the quarterfinals.
France also reached the quarterfinals at the 2015 World Cup in Canada but fell to Germany on penalties after a 1-1 draw. The team’s best finish at the tournament was fourth in 2011 after losing 2-1 in the third-place match to Sweden. France had lost 3-1 in the semifinals to the Americans.
But France has seen its profile rise considerably in recent years, coinciding with the growth of its domestic professional league. Seven players on France’s roster play for Lyon, which routed Barcelona 4-1 to win the women’s Champions League for the fourth straight year and sixth time overall.
‘From where we were four years ago, and where France was four years ago, I think both of us are much stronger teams. I think just the women’s game in general has grown tremendously,’ U.S. star Megan Rapinoe said. ‘I guess the task for each team is to be the team that is growing as fast as the game is, keeping up on that and even being the one that is pushing the game forward.’
France is seeking to become the first nation to simultaneously hold the men’s and women’s World Cup trophies. The men won last year in Russia.
Kelley Ohara trips up with Sofia Jakobsson of Sweden (L) during the group F match
Megan Rapinoe apologized Thursday for using coarse language in saying she would not visit the White House if the United States wins the Women’s World Cup, but outside of using the word ‘f***ing,’ the American captain doubled down on the statement
The United States already has three World Cup trophies, most of any nation. The Americans emphatically beat Japan 5-2 to win in Canada, highlighted by Carli Lloyd’s hat trick.
The Americans have played the French 23 times, with France winning just three. But the last three matches have tilted toward France, with two wins and a draw. The last meeting was a friendly in January, when Kadidiatou Diani – who wasn’t named to France’s World Cup roster – scored twice in a 3-1 victory.
‘It’s impossible to have any pressure. Quite the opposite, in fact. It’s additional motivation for us. We’re coming up against the best team in the world. So the only pressure we have is to have a good performance,’ Diacre said.
The game Friday night doesn’t come without controversy for the U.S. team, which often finds itself the center of attention.
Rapinoe was caught on video earlier this year using an expletive in explaining that she would not visit the White House if the team wins the World Cup. It got the attention of President Donald Trump, who called her out on social media.
On Thursday, the day before the match, she said she stood by her comments, except the coarse language. She even suggested the uproar might help her team.
‘I think, if anything, it just fires everybody up a little bit more,’ she said.
Rapino, in solidarity with Rapinoe, responded directly to Trump