US women’s national soccer team jersey making record sales
Succeed or fail, Megan Rapinoe won't be rushing to meet Donald Trump. Getty
The home jersey of the US women’s national soccer team is flying off shelves and making record sales following the team’s World Cup success.
The Americans beat host nation France on Friday with a 2-1 victory, and won against England 2-1 on Tuesday.
Nike’s president and CEO Mark Parker said the jersey was a record-breaking seller on the sportswear company’s retail site.
“The USA Women’s Home jersey is now the No.1 soccer jersey, men’s or women’s, ever sold on Nike.com in one season,” Mr Parker told Reuters.
The US 2019 Stadium Home jersey.
The soccer jersey sells for $105 on the Nike website.
Mr Parker said two-thirds of the teams at the start of the tournament wore Nike kits.
But the US squad’s popular jersey is not the only reason the team is attracting worldwide attention.
Co-captain Megan Rapinoe is receiving a mix of praise and criticism for her public disdain for US President Donald Trump.
Footage emerged of the star player saying “I’m not going to the f—ing White House,” in an interview filmed earlier this year.
True to form, Mr Trump responded by firing off a series of tweets saying she should not disrespect the country, the White House or the flag.
Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez responded by inviting the squad over Twitter to visit the House of Representatives, while Democratic presidential candidate and Senator Kamala Harris followed up with an invitation to tour the Senate.
It may not be the White House, but we’d be happy to welcome @mPinoe & the entire #USWMNT for a tour of the House of Representatives anytime they’d like. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/ccgqE8vCds
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 28, 2019
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a rally in New York in January. Photo: AAP