USWNT defender Tierna Davidson was not a fan of her teammate’s anti-LGBTQ social media activity.
Davidson, who is openly gay and engaged to former goalkeeper Alison Jahansouz, opened up on Tuesday’s episode of “Good Game” with Sarah Spain about how USWNT midfielder Korbin Albert’s online engagement has affected her.
“I think it’s a difficult situation that has obviously affected me personally given what she was speaking on,” the 25-year-old said. “I think that it is something that you have to learn as a young player, especially with the platform that you’re given is your beliefs or how you choose to express certain things is very public and people do look and listen.
“We have to learn from what we do in our lives and how people react to it and understand the hurt that we can cause. I think that it’s difficult because as a team, we have always wanted to be very welcoming to all of our fans, to all players that walk through the locker room.”
Back in March, Albert re-posted a Christian sermon on social media that stated being gay and “feeling transgender” were wrong, which she later apologized for after receiving plenteous backlash.
“Whether or not it’s something you grew up with, or it was instilled upon you from a young age, and you might not know better, it is something that can hurt other people,” Davidson continued. “I think that she has gone through a lot of learning since then and she has to continue to do that, as we all do as humans.
“The ball is in her court for that…It was difficult for me when it first happened, and it’s been hard to hear how fans have been taking it because I feel like I want to be able to represent the queer community really well on this team.”
Albert’s apology came shortly after PSG’s 3-0 win over Häcken in the Women’s Champions League quarterfinals in March.
“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions on social media. Liking and sharing posts that are offensive, insensitive and hurtful was immature and disrespectful which was never my intent,” her statement said.
“I’m really disappointed in myself and am deeply sorry for the hurt that I have caused to my teammates, other players, fans, friends and anyone who was offended.”
Davidson, a Gotham FC defender, and Jahansouz started dating during their overlapping collegiate soccer careers at Stanford.
While Davidson was drafted first overall by the Chicago Red Stars in the 2019 NWSL College Draft after playing three years for the Trees, the couple remained strong and sealed their love with an engagement in March 2023.
“I’m not someone that’s going to meet any sort of hate with hate, she is one of my teammates and I respect that and I respect her as a player,” Davidson said of Albert.
Albert, 20, played at Notre Dame for two years before signing a pro contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
The midfielder will make her Olympic debut as a member of the 18-player roster competing in Paris.
Back in April, Albert was booed as she entered the match in the 78th during a SheBelieves Cup win against Japan at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Former USWNT stalwart and LGBTQ+ activist Megan Rapinoe, who is married to former WNBA star Sue Bird, held nothing back when she called out Albert’s social media antics.
“For people who want to hide behind ‘my beliefs’ I would just ask one question, are you making any type of space safer, more inclusive, more whole, any semblance if better, bringing the best out of anyone?” Rapinoe wrote on Instagram in March.
“Because if you aren’t all you believe in this hate,” Rapinoe continued. “And kids are literally killing themselves because of this hate. Wake, TF up!”
Rapinoe signed the message “yours truly, #15,” which is the jersey number Albert now sports.
Albert had also previously liked an Instagram post that read, “God taking time off performing miracles to make sure Megan Rapinoe sprains her ankle in her final ever game,” mocking Rapinoe’s non-contact Achilles tear, which occurred during the last match of her storied career – the 2023 NWSL Championship game.
During a podcast appearance last month, Rapinoe remarked that there’s a “special place in hell” for those who celebrated or mocked her injury, likely directing her shade at Albert.
The USWNT, who took home the bronze at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Games, opens its Olympic campaign on Thursday in a Group B matchup against Zambia, with kickoff at 3 p.m. ET.
