BOYDS, Md. -- The Washington Spirit prevented Seattle midfielder Megan Rapinoe from kneeling again during the national anthem by altering its pregame ceremonies rather than subject our fans and friends to the disrespect we feel such an act would represent.The National Womens Soccer League team moved up the anthem, playing it while the teams were off the field at the Maryland SoccerPlex.We decided to play the anthem in our stadium ahead of schedule rather than subject our fans and friends to the disrespect we feel such an act would represent, the Spirit said in a statement. We understand this may be seen as an extraordinary step, but believe it was the best option to avoid taking focus away from the game on such an important night for our franchise.On Sunday before the Reigns match in Chicago, Rapinoe knelt during the anthem in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick -- the San Francisco quarterback who has refused to stand during the anthem to protest racial injustice and minority oppression. She said at the time she planned to continue to kneel.To willingly allow anyone to hijack this tradition that means so much to millions of Americans and so many of our own fans for any cause would effectively be just as disrespectful as doing it ourselves, the Spirit said in the statement.Following the match, Rapinoe said she was saddened by the Spirits move.It was incredibly distasteful, four days before one of the worst tragedies in our country, to say I tried to hijack this event, The Washington Post quoted Rapinoe as saying.During the match a group of supporters chanted Let Her Kneel!The Spirit said team owner Bill Lynch is a veteran who has lost friends in overseas conflicts, as had his close friends.The tradition of honoring our military and our patriotism before our games is very important to us, the statement said. We strongly feel that there are better ways to begin a conversation about a cause than tarnishing a tradition that is so important to so many.Earlier Wednesday, the Reign said they were standing by Rapinoe. In a statement, the team said it recognizes Rapinoes action was offensive to some and a source of inspiration to others.We will continue to encourage all Reign FC players to participate in the pre-match ceremony, which honors those who have served and made sacrifices on our behalf, the Reign said. We will also continue to allow players to participate in the pre-match ceremony in a manner consistent with their personal beliefs, reflecting our respect for the rights earned and defended by those fighting for our nation.Kaepernick drew attention when he remained seated on the bench before a preseason game against Green Bay. Last Thursday night in San Diego, he and safety Eric Reid knelt during the anthem before a game against the Chargers.On Sunday night, Rapinoe kneeled during the anthem prior to the match against the Chicago Red Stars, in what she called a little nod to Kaepernick.I think its actually pretty disgusting the way he was treated and the way that a lot of the media has covered it and made it about something that it absolutely isnt. We need to have a more thoughtful, two-sided conversation about racial issues in this country, Rapinoe told the website American Soccer Now afterward.She went on to say: 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.The 31-year-old Rapinoe has been with the U.S. national team since 2006 and has played in two Womens World Cups and two Olympics. She has played for Seattle since 2013,Rapinoe injured her knee last December during training and required surgery, but was able to come back and play in the Rio Games. The United States, which had won three straight gold medals in the sport, was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Sweden.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. Hydro Flask 24 Oz Standard Mouth . Listen to the game live on TSN Radio 1050 at 7pm et. The Raptors traded Rudy Gay, Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray to the Sacramento Kings on Monday, in exchange for Greivis Vasquez, John Salmons, Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes. Hydro Flask Wine Tumbler Sale . DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action. http://www.hydroflask32oz.com/coffee-flasks/20-oz-coffee.html . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. Hydro Flask Coffee Sale . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead. Hydro Flask 21 Oz Standard Mouth . - Levi Browns tenure at left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers is over before it even began. Lewis Hamilton got his U.S. Grand Prix weekend off to a solid start with the fastest time in first practice, 0.315s faster than teammate and title rival Nico Rosberg.Hamilton and Rosberg go into this weekends race split by 33 points, with the British driver in need of a win to inject some hope into his championship campaign. Although the FP1 session counts for nothing in the grand scheme of things, at the last three races the Mercedes driver who has had the edge throughout free practice has gone on to secure pole position on Saturday.Hamilton held a 1.951s advantage over Max Verstappen in third, but both Red Bull drivers stuck exclusively to the medium tyres -- the slowest compound on offer this weekend -- and are likely to show their true pace later in the day. Hamilton and Rosberg both set their fastest times on soft tyres, although they did use the super-soft tyre for nine lap runs earlier in the session.Kimi Raikkonen finished the session fourth fastest for Ferrari after using the soft compound throughout the 90 minutes. Nico Hulkenberg was fifth fastest for Force India ahead of Valtteri Bottas in the Williams as the two teams prepare to continue their battle over fourth place in the constructors championship. Both drivers ran the Halo earlier in the session as part of the FIAs ongoing tests for the cockpit protection device, with Williams opting to run a white version to match its livery.Daniel Ricciardo was seventh fastest and set his best time oon used mediums, while Sebastian Vettel was eighth after his session was interrupted by a loose wing mirror.dddddddddddd The mirror came loose when he ran wide exiting the penultimate corner and a piece of bodywork flew up from lower down on the car and took the mirror out.Both Toro Rossos made into the top ten after using super-soft tyres towards the end of the session to set a quick lap. Kvyat also ran the Halo earlier in the session before having a spin at Turn 18 once it had been removed.Felipe Massa and Felipe Nasr were 11th and 12th, ahead of Fernando Alonso in the McLaren, who completed 26 laps exclusively on the soft tyres. The two Haas drivers could only manage 15 laps each and both stopped at the end of the pit lane towards the end of the session, finishing down in 14th and 15th.Marcus Ericsson was 16th ahead of Mexican Alfonso Celis, who drove Sergio Perezs Force India in FP1 as part of his ongoing role as a development driver. Jenson Button was 18th in the second McLaren ahead of Kevin Magnussens Renault and Jordan King, who was at the wheel of Pascal Wehrleins Manor for the duration of the session and completed a total of 29 laps.Jolyon Palmer was 21st in the Renault after sticking exclusively to the mediums and spinning at Turn 18, while Esteban Ocon finished at the bottom of the timesheets in the second Manor. 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