It seems that Megan Rapinoe isn’t the only meme-worthy star of the U.S. Women’s Soccer team. Now fellow forward Alex Morgan has joined the ranks of celebratory memehood.
While Rapinoe’s goal-scoring pose was inspiring, Morgan’s is a downright taunt. After scoring what would be the game-winning goal against England on Tuesday, Morgan celebrated by daintily sipping an imaginary cup of tea.
#USWNT star Alex Morgan celebrates her goal against England by sipping on an imaginary cup of tea to mock the English. Rivalry born. #ENG 1-2 #USA #FIFAWWC #ENGUSA pic.twitter.com/5csXx8tajH
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) July 2, 2019
It was an impressive display of trash-talking (trash-miming?) and there was absolutely no way that Twitter was going to let it go unnoticed.
Of course, it didn’t hurt that the match took place two days before the U.S. celebrates its independence from England.
Alex Morgan at the Boston Tea Party, 1773. Oil on canvas. pic.twitter.com/rRUU8ASagd
— 🐐 (@dashfan08) July 2, 2019
On behalf of Scotland, thank you. pic.twitter.com/yihqjitjPT
— International Ploughbhoy. (@davidkerr1970) July 3, 2019
Been owning England since 1776 #USA🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/NBbpqXXdTC
— Travis (@TravisC333) July 2, 2019
Although some people, like Piers Morgan, felt the display was disrespectful, most people found it delightfully devilish.
When we win this, I hope every one of our players feigns eating a Big Mac and large fries. https://t.co/nNbZ6QI1mW
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 2, 2019
It’s bordering on a declaration of war. https://t.co/OTvHg4LfeH
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 2, 2019
Alex Morgan. Nothing to see here. Just banter. A storm in a teacup if you will. No big deal. pic.twitter.com/FxTdAZtcBL
— Luke Foley (@LukeAFoley) July 3, 2019
"England, you've had to hold this L for 240 years. Tomorrow's July 4th in this country, we've been whooping you via sea, via land and now in your sport… Thank you Alex Morgan!"
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) July 3, 2019
— @getnickwright on the @USWNT's 2-1 win over England in the #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/brIPfZBpjs
Iconic goal, iconic celebration ☕ @alexmorgan13 pic.twitter.com/tRQVL309zH
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 3, 2019
I taught Ruby how to “drink tea like @alexmorgan13” because I’m a good parent pic.twitter.com/JpHX3Lqm2q
— Cody Tapp (@codybtapp) July 3, 2019
Even former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton weighed in.
Congrats to the #USWNT for earning that tea. On to the final! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/nI8HoMjN1D
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 2, 2019
Morgan even later admitted that the ladies can “Walk the Talk”, as he wrote in his column.
*NEW: You're cocky, smug, ruthless prima donnas @alexmorgan13 @mPinoe – but you're winners & I doff my tea-drinking pinky finger to you.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 3, 2019
My column: https://t.co/iOBP9IjTO5 pic.twitter.com/l1vJIXjgUH
When asked about the controversy the mock tea-sipping brewed, Rapinoe defended her meme-mate by literally saying, “Wah, wah, wah.”
U.S. forward Megan Rapinoe on Alex Morgan's tea cup celebration: "I think I might have been upstaged. That was next-level."
— Davidde Corran (@DaviddeCorran) July 3, 2019
And on English criticism of the tea cup celebration: "Wah, wah, wah… I don't think anyone truly believes we disrespect opponents."@sntvstory pic.twitter.com/XaCgGTsiKq
Adding to the fun, it turns out Morgan scored the game-winning goal, not only two days before America’s birthday, but on her own actual birthday.
Alex Morgan had herself a 30th birthday yesterday.
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) July 3, 2019
What was the best birthday you ever had? 🎉 pic.twitter.com/6oUdAPOIQQ
Scoring the winning goal, becoming a meme, and having your team advance to the finals of the World Cup? That’s a pretty good way to celebrate turning 30.
READ MORE:
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- Megan Rapinoe’s World Cup goal pose is now a meme
- Ocasio-Cortez invited Megan Rapinoe to tour the House of Representatives
- Trump’s rant about Megan Rapinoe devolves into treatise about PC culture in the NBA
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H/T BuzzFeed News