Rapinoe stands by White House comments, has Ellis' backing

Warning: Story contains coarse language

Her choice of language is all that Megan Rapinoe regrets.

The soccer star defended her recent comments in which the 33-year-old insisted she would not visit the White House if the United States wins the Women's World Cup.

"I stand by the comments that I made about not wanting to go to the White House, with the exception of the expletive," Rapinoe said Thursday, according to Graham Hays of ESPN FC. "My mom will be very upset about that. But I think, obviously, answering with a lot of passion considering how much time and effort and pride we take in the platform that we have and using it for good and for leaving the game in a better place and hopefully the world in a better place, I don't think that I would want to go.

"And I would encourage my teammates to think hard about lending that platform or having that co-opted by an administration that doesn't feel the same way and doesn't fight for same things that we fight for."

In an interview with Eight by Eight magazine on Tuesday, Rapinoe said: "I'm not going to the fucking White House. No. I'm not going to the White House. We're not gonna be invited. I doubt it."

President Trump denounced Rapinoe's stance as disrespectful but extended an invitation to his residence regardless if the USWNT win or lose in France.

After her teammates expressed their support, United States head coach Jill Ellis also backed her winger and attempted to shift the focus back to soccer.

"We all support Megan," Ellis said. "She knows that. We know we have each other's backs in there.

"I think for our players, there is only one purpose, one mission that we're here. Comments, media, whatever, it's always been something that I think we can block out pretty easily."

The United States will attempt to maintain its perfect record at the tournament when it takes on France in the quarterfinals on Friday.