Did US soccer team snub soldiers at airport?

Did the U.S. men?s soccer team snub U.S. servicemen who had come to greet them at the airport in Guatemala? Hurt feelings were recorded on Twitter and Facebook, but a U.S. team spokesman says it was all a misunderstanding in protocol. As one commenter put it, one would think that U.S. soccer players would acknowledge any attention they can get. So all in all not a great World Cup qualifying trip for the U.S. men, who could only manage a 1-1 tie with lightly-regarded Guatemala. Plus, the game wasn?t broadcast in the U.S., leaving many other fans angry.

The trouble started on Monday when the team arrived at the airport in Guatemala. U.S. troops stationed in that country had made the trip to greet the team: but when the players exited the plane, they walked right past the soldiers ? many of whom were holding cameras and smiling ? without acknowledging them (photo here). This left some of the soldiers and their families a bit ruffled.

But a U.S. team spokesman is saying today that the players never meant to snub the troops. TMZ:

Now, a rep for the team tells TMZ, ?The players and staff were simply unsure of the correct protocol in terms of engaging the military members on arrival to Guatemala ? [the players] weren?t sure if they were welcoming them or providing security.?

The U.S. team is apologizing profusely, but it?s hard to imagine why their PR people were not more on the ball here. Anyway, their dismal performance in the game seems to be overshadowing the soldier controversy.

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