The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team has sparked controversy for not singing the national anthem at the World Cup. The reasons behind some players' silence remain unclear, continuing a trend of anthem demonstrations that started in 2015.

As the team vies for its third straight title at the World Cup, the pre-kickoff activity has garnered significant attention. Unlike other teams at the tournament, many U.S. team players and coaches stood silently during the national anthem.

New Jersey residents voiced their opinions on the issue. Robert Lazarowitz, of Iselin, called the silence "disgraceful," suggesting players should have at least "gone through the motions" to show emotion.

Conversely, Robyn Wisniewski from Edison felt that if the players stood and showed their pride, that was "sufficient enough." Wisniewski acknowledged that it might have been nice for the team to sing, but she didn't view their silence as disrespectful.

Sarah Agliata, of Edison, noted that New Jerseyans have different opinions. Despite differing views, she expressed a desire for unity, especially as the World Cup continues. "I think that it is important to be a united front, especially today. 2023 is a completely different world," Agliata said.