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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. Philadelphia Phillies Pro Shop . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. 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NEW YORK -- Brett Favre is getting into satellite radio, joining SiriusXM NFL Radio as a host.One day before Favre is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 6, he will debut on SiriusXM with a special town hall style of show from Canton, Ohio. He will host a series of hour-long programs during the season, starting in September.It will be the first regular sports media role for the three-time NFL MVP since he retired after the 2010 season.I am looking forward to working with SiriusXM NFL Radio this season. Ive been a listener, both when I played and after I retired, and its a great place to talk about the game, Favre said. Im excited to talk with fans and weigh in with my opinions on whats happening in the league, and itll be fun talking to some former colleagues now and then.ddddddddddddFavre will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Green Bay Packer. He also played for the Falcons, Jets and Vikings, winning the 1997 Super Bowl with Green Bay.Brett was a once-in-a-generation player. His career, and particularly the enthusiasm with which he played the game, enthralled all football fans, said Steve Cohen, SiriusXMs senior vice president of sports programming. His passion and free-spirited personality are perfect for radio.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '