USWNT’s Ashlyn Harris fires back at estranged teammate: ‘You are homophobic’

Ashlyn Harris helped the USWNT defend its World Cup title, and when it came to defending the character of her and her teammates, she was also up to task.

When an interview with former U.S. teammate Jaelene Hinkle resurfaced on Twitter where she claimed the team “wasn’t a welcoming place for Christians,” Harris didn’t hold back.

“Hinkle, our team is about inclusion. Your religion was never the problem. The problem is your intolerance and you are homophobic,” Harris, who is engaged to fellow USA World Cup champion Ali Krieger, tweeted. “You don’t belong in a sport that aims to unite and bring people together. You would never fit into our pack or what this team stands for.”

Hinkle declined a call-up to the USWNT two years ago because she didn’t want to wear a Pride-themed jersey in support of LGBTQ rights.

Many women on the team, including high-profile players Julie Ertz and Tobin Heath, are outspoken Christians. Before and after each 2019 World Cup contest, several players would kneel in prayer circles.

There are also five openly gay players on team USA, in addition to coach Jill Ellis. In the 2019 Women’s World Cup, there were 40 out gay, lesbian and bisexual women – 38 players, one coach and a trainer.

In 2015, the number of out players was 18.

Harris’s response was a quote-tweet off of prominent Catholic anti-abortion and anti-gay advocate Obianuju Ekoeocha.

“Don’t you dare say our team is ‘not a welcoming place for Christians,’” Harris continued. “You weren’t around long enough to know what this team stood for. This is actually an insult to the Christians on our team. [Shame] on you.”

Hinkle currently plays for the North Carolina Courage in the National Women’s Soccer League. The 26-year-old has eight U.S. appearances between 2015 and 2017, and was cut from the final roster for the 2018 Tournament of Nations.

“I just felt so convicted in my spirit that it wasn’t my job to wear this jersey,” Hinkle said during a 2018 interview with the 700 Club. “I’m essentially giving up the one dream little girls dream about their entire lives. It was very disappointing.

“I knew in my spirit I was doing the right thing. I knew I was being obedient.”

Ellis took some heat for leaving Hinkle out of the current squad, although she assures that her exclusion was based entirely on soccer, not religion.

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