Canadian defender Lauren Sesselmann, whose defensive slip led to England’s opening goal in Canada’s 2-1 quarter-final loss on Saturday, lashed out at her critics in an Instagram post on Monday.
Sesselmann, who made a handful of gaffes throughout the tournament that didn’t lead to goals, was victimized 11 minutes into Saturday’s game when she stumbled and turned over the ball to England’s Jodie Taylor who then slammed it behind Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod.
In her Instagram post, the 31-year-old centre back, who declined to speak to the media following the game at BC Place, called out “the classless people” who have posted “negative comments” and “threats” on social media.
She also references her difficult recovery from knee surgery. Sesselmann tore her left anterior cruciate ligament last March and spent 13 months in rehab before returning to the field for the World Cup opener against China.
Words cannot describe how utterly heartbroken I am.
The tears have not stopped flowing and this one is going to hurt for a really really long time.
Yes I slipped, yes they scored and yes you can blame me all you want …If that’s what makes you feel better fine.
No one knows how hard I worked to get back from injury to be a part of this special team and make a difference.
I know my worth and I know all the great things I’ve done to help this team get here.
For all you classless people with your negative comments and threats you know absolutely nothing.
You can sit there and choose to focus on every negative and pick apart our team BUT you have NO IDEA how much passion, heart and hard work this team puts in.
No matter what any of you say I am so damn proud to wear this jersey and so damn proud of what we have accomplished and how hard we fought.
Yes we arn’t perfect and yes we ALL made mistakes, every great athlete makes mistakes … YOU even make mistakes … It’s part of life … but it’s how you respond that matters, and we never stopped fighting. And I can promise you all this … WE WILL be back and WE WILL be better.
THANK YOU to all the fans who have supported us thru thick and thin … and Thank you to my friends and family … Who ALWAYS believe in me and pick me up when I fall. I am so proud to play alongside all of these beautiful and talented women … This truly will be a journey I will never forget. I ❤ you all and can’t wait for what’s to come. The future is extremely bright. #TrueNorthStrong#Family #Sisterhood #TogetherWeRise
Filed under: Now, Sports, STAFF Tagged: B.C. Place, Canada, Erin McLeod, FIFA, Instagram, Jodie Taylor, Lauren Sesselmann, Women's World Cup Image may be NSFW.
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