Megan Rapinoe showed no sign of stemming her outspoken ways after scoring the goals that saw USA march one step closer towards the World Cup final.

“Go gays!” she said after the 2-1 quarter-final victory over France in Paris and when asked to comment on whether it being Pride month made her contribution more personally significant. “You can’t win a championship without gays on your team - it’s never been done before, ever. That’s science, right there!

Megan Rapinoe double sends USA past France and into England semi-final Read more

“I’m motivated by people who like me, who are fighting for the same things. I take more energy from that than from trying to prove anyone wrong. That’s draining on yourself. But for me, to be gay and fabulous, during Pride month at the World Cup, is nice.”

Her latest comments follow the 33-year-old’s row with Donald Trump, after footage shot earlier this year emerged showing her saying: “I’m not going to the fucking White House,” when she was asked whether she would visit if her team won the World Cup.

She urged her USA teammates to “think hard” about associating themselves with Trump before the win over France, whilst apologising for using an obscenity, but repeating she would not visit the White House if the team won.

Her White House comments thrust her into the president’s spotlight. This week he accused her on Twitter of disrespect and said she should “win first before she talks”.

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) ....invited Megan or the team, but I am now inviting the TEAM, win or lose. Megan should never disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag, especially since so much has been done for her & the team. Be proud of the Flag that you wear. The USA is doing GREAT!

When the USA manager, Jill Ellis, was asked about whether she was worried her star forward’s comments would detract from her performance pre-match, she was emphatic: “No and, to be frank, I wasn’t aware until the press officer told me. That’s the head down approach I have.

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“I have not worried at all, she handled herself incredibly well at the presser the other day and you can hear her comments and expressed herself she is experienced and eloquent I would point to the performance today and say this stuff bounces off her and pushes her forward.”

On the evening itself Rapinoe was thoughtful about the performance of the USA, who now face England in Tuesday’s semi-final. “We didn’t have the best night on the ball but defensively, the willingness and the discipline to do what we did was impressive,” she said. “We were ruthless in our chances. Moving on to the next round, that’s really all that matters.”

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For France another quarter-final defeat hurts. Their manager, Corrine Diacre, had said pre-match that: “We have had quarter final defeats haunting us for a while.” But, when asked whether this defeat was a failure for French football and whether she should depart, Diacre was clear. “I am not a person to give up,” she said.

“[I have] no regret, the president of the French FA has shown his confidence with a long-term contract but he will make this decision on a personal level. We still have work to do a number of things, to work on together, I hope. “But yes, it is a failure on the footballing level. I don’t think we should shy away from that. We are a long way from our target. I hope we have won over the hearts and minds of the public and it will help the women’s game to go further and move into the next level.

“We showed despite everything we weren’t too far off US I have never seen US switch to a five-man back line that early. It’s a sign.”