Sydney Leroux, a Canadian-born U.S. international, has accused fans in Toronto of racially taunting her at Sunday’s Canada-U.S. women’s soccer international.
“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,” Leroux tweeted Monday.
Leroux, 23, was born in Vancouver to a Canadian mother and American father, and played for Canada at the youth level before committing to the U.S. in 2008.
She was booed through Sunday’s sold-out game at BMO Field, taking her revenge by scoring in the Americans’ 3-0 win.
In celebrating her stoppage-time goal, she popped out her jersey to show the U.S. crest and put a finger to her mouth as if silencing the crowd.
“Come on . . . how many American-born players do you have on Canada?” Leroux said.
“I thought I dealt with it well.”
The Canadian squad includes defender Lauren Sesselman, who was born in the U.S. Coach John Herdman is said to be examining other U.S. options, including Rachel Quon, a defender with the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Leroux, who was yellow-carded for her celebration, did not mention racial abuse when she talked to reporters after the game. But taunts of “Judas” have followed her since she switched international allegiance.
American captain Abby Wambach also spoke up for her teammate.
“If you knew some of 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,’” Wambach said. “So for her, I’m proud of her to come on in the time that she had.”
A call to the U.S. team press officer was not immediately returned.
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