US women's soccer stars at World Cup opener remain mostly silent during anthem as Vietnam players proudly sing theirs with hands over hearts

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Much of the US women's soccer team remained silent during the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner at Friday's World Cup opener in New Zealand, prompting critics to excoriate players over a perceived lack of patriotism.

Before beating Vietnam, 3-0, to open Group E play, six of 11 starting players opted against placing their hands over their hearts, instead keeping their arms at their sides or behind their backs. Meanwhile, five others did put their hands on their hearts, including three — Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher and Lindsey Horan — who also sang the national anthem lyrics.

The Vietnamese women, on the other hand, were all seen singing their anthem with their hands on their chests.

'The ugly Americans once again showing their true colors,' one person wrote on Twitter. 'They could learn a thing or two from the Vietnamese.'

'Absolute disgrace to the US!!' added another. 'Ban them and get players that are proud to represent their country.'

USA players line up for the national anthem prior to the FIFA Women's World Cup 

The Vietnamese women were all seen singing their anthem with their hands on their chests

'They are playing the song of our NATION!' yet, another fan tweeted. 'Watch how ALL the other teams respond when they play theirs!'

Critics have continued to keep an eye on the US women's behavior during the anthem after former team captain Megan Rapinoe knelt in protest of racist police brutality beginning in 2016.

Rapinoe, now playing in her final World Cup, also said in 2019 that she would 'never put my hand over my heart' and 'never sing the national anthem again.'

All but one player knelt in protest before a 2021 game against Australia, but the team was falsely accused of turning its back on the flag and a World War II veteran before another game that year.

The reigning World Cup champions were seen standing at attention before their 4-0 Olympic-sendoff win in Hartford, Connecticut in July of 2021 as 98-year-old Pete DuPré played a rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner.

Some US players did put their hands over their hearts while singing the national anthem 

Alex Morgan (center) is pictured with her hand over her heart during Friday's anthem 

While some players turned and faced the flag, others, such as Christen Press, remained facing forward towards DuPré. Several had their hands on their hearts, such as co-captain Alex Morgan, while another co-captain, Rapinoe, kept her arms behind her back.

Photographs and video footage show that the players who turned away did so to face the stars and stripes flag at the far end of the stadium.

Regardless, critics on social media accused American players of attacking DuPré, the country, or both.

As for the game, Sophia Smith and captain Lindsey Horan both scored as the US cruised to a relatively easy win over Vietnam on Friday.