Alejandro Bedoya’s and Jozy Altidore’s responses to Abby Wambach’s arrest won’t sever ties between the United States men’s and women’s national soccer teams, but they aren’t likely to create harmony between the sides either.
Bedoya and Altidore used Twitter on Sunday to mock news of Wambach’s arrest on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol earlier in the day. Bedoya’s response referred to controversial remarks Wambach made in December in which she criticized U.S. men’s coach Jurgen Klinsmann for including so many “foreign guys” on his rosters.
Altidore jumped in with a reference to the January 2015 DUI arrest of Jerramy Stevens — husband of U.S. women’s goalkeeper Hope Solo — who was driving one of the team’s vans when police stopped him.
Wambach, an iconic and recently retired player, apologized on Facebook later Sunday.
Not everyone appreciated the men’s players’ responses, and Bedoya responded to heavy criticism with further comments.
Whether this demonstrates simmering tension between the teams or is just an isolated incident remains to be seen.
Thumbnail photo via Derick E. Hingle/USA TODAY Sports Images
