U.S. women’s soccer forward Sydney Leroux tweeted Monday that she was subjected to racial slurs and taunts during her team’s 3-0 win Sunday over Canada in Toronto.
When you chant racial slurs, taunt me and talk about my family don't be mad when I shush you and show pride in what I represent. #america
— Sydney Leroux (@sydneyleroux) June 3, 2013
Leroux, born outside Vancouver to a Canadian mother and American father, is a controversial figure in Canada because she switched national soccer allegiances. She played on Canada’s 2004 Under-19 World Cup team before helping lead the U.S. to the Under-20 World Cup title in 2008. She has played for the U.S. ever since.
Leroux, 23, was booed when she entered Sunday's game at BMO Field. After scoring the third goal in stoppage time, Leroux pointedly showed the U.S. Soccer crest on her jersey to Canadian fans, then put a finger to her mouth as if to “shush” them.
She drew a yellow card for her celebration, which her teammates defended.
"If you knew some of the things that Canadian folks tweet at her, that for her was a special moment, and that for her was saying, 'Hey, look. I'm here. I'm on the U.S. team,'" American captain Abby Wambach said, via CBC Sports. "So for her, I'm proud of her to come on in the time that she had."
