COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Megan Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem before a U.S. womens national team match against Thailand on Thursday night.Rapinoe first knelt during the anthem on Sept. 4 before a game with her National Womens Soccer League team, the Seattle Reign. She said she wanted to express solidarity with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who is not standing during the anthem to bring attention to racial inequality.After Thursday nights game, which the United States won 9-0, U.S. Soccer issued a statement to ESPN that said representing the country is a privilege and honor for any play or coach associated with the national teams.Therefore, our national anthem has particular significance for U.S. Soccer. In front of national and often global audiences, the playing of our national anthem is an opportunity for our Mens and Womens National Team players and coaches to reflect upon the liberties and freedom we all appreciate in this country.As part of the privilege to represent your country, we have an expectation that our players and coaches will stand and honor our flag while the National Anthem is played.It was unclear whether Rapinoe would face any sanctions from the federation.Rapinoe did not start the game at Mapfre stadium. She knelt from a spot near the bench while the fellow reserves around her stood.The 31-year-old, who helped the U.S. win the World Cup last year and played in the Rio Olympics, came into the game at the start of the second half.At a game Sunday night in Seattle, the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, she stood and linked arms with her Reign teammates.Last week before a Reign match against the Washington Spirit in Maryland, the anthem was played before the teams took the field rather than subject our fans and friends to the disrespect we feel such an act would represent, said a Spirit statement that cited the personal beliefs of the team owner.There was speculation that Rapinoe might refrain from kneeling before Thursday nights game because she was playing for the United States and not her club team. It was also the final game for midfielder Heather OReilly, who was retiring after 15 years with the national team.Kaepernicks refusal to stand for the anthem first came to public notice when he remained seated on the bench before an NFL preseason game against Green Bay. Since then numerous players have joined the protest, taking a knee or raising a fist.Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties. It was something small that I could do and something that I plan to keep doing in the future and hopefully spark some meaningful conversation around it, Rapinoe told American Soccer Now about her motivation for the protest.Since coming out in 2012, Rapinoe has been devoted advocate for LGBT rights and has worked with the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and other organizations.Rapinoe also has been vocal about pay equity, and was among five national team players who lent their names to a complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging wage discrimination. The players claim that members of the team make in some cases up to four times less than their male national team counterparts. Rodney McGruder Jersey . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. JaMychal Green Jersey . After Gasquet beat fifth-seeded Ivan Dodig of Croatia 7-5, 6-3, Tsonga followed up with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 win against sixth-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin in an all-French match. https://www.cheapclippersonline.com/ . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. Fake Clippers Jerseys . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. Jamal Crawford Jersey . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead. Saturday is the first full day of competition at the Rio Olympics, and the first 12 gold medals will be awarded. Here are some of the highlights:Heats begin at noon ET: Four swimming finals will be awarded. And the United States Katie Ledeckys first swim of these Games is expected to be in the prelims of the 4x100m freestyle relay. She would win a medal if the U.S. finishes in the top three Saturday night.4 p.m. ET: The top-ranked U.S. womens team faces third-ranked France in the second game of the group stage. The winner will likely advance to the quarterfinals, but winning the group will provide an easier knockout path. Assuming she plays, Hope Solo will the first keeper in soccer history -- female or male -- to play 200 international games.6 p.m. ET: The U.S. mens team opens against China. The U.S. has won the last two gold medals and is on a 68-game win streak since the 2006 World Championships. Carmelo Anthony will tie a team record by playing in his 24th Olympic game, and he needs 18 points to pass Michael Jordan for third on the teams Olympic scoring list.Race begins at 8:30 a.m. ET: The mens road race is one of the first medal events on Saturday, and the competition will be familiar for those with Tour de France memories dancing in their heads. Great Britains Chris Froome, who last month won his third Tour title in the past four years, will try to do what fellow Brit Bradley Wiggins did four years ago in London -- win both the yellow jersey and gold medal in the same year.dddddddddddd The course is grueling, and a climbers dream. Froomes biggest competition will come from Vincenzo Nibali and Alejandro Valverde.Begins at 9:30 a.m. ET: The U.S. mens team looks to redeem a disappointing team finish four years ago in London, as qualifying begins Saturday. They will compete in the second of three subdivisions (1:30 p.m. ET at Rio Olympic Arena), and the five team members are Chris Brooks, Jacob Dalton, Danell Leyva, Sam Mikulak and Alex Naddour. Leyva was called up after John Orozco withdrew last month with an ACL injury.And finally ...Need I say more?! Playing tomorrow night and just cant wait! #olympics #dreams pic.twitter.com/XMciaBvGHT- Venus Williams (@Venuseswilliams) August 5, 2016Will Venus Williams successful 2016 continue in Rio? Venus, who is tied with sister Serena for the most Olympic gold medals with four, takes on Belgiums Kirsten Flipkens in the opening round (5:45 p.m. ET). Madison Keys takes on Danka Kovinic (11 a.m. ET), while one of the biggest matchups of the day comes between Canadas Eugenie Bouchard and Team USAs Sloane Stephens. Jack Sock is the lone American on the schedule in the mens draw.For a complete list of the days events, go here. ' ' '