July 2, 2019

US vs. England in World Cup: US wins as Megan Rapinoe has 'minor strain'

WATCH: US beats England in World Cup semifinals in London

The U.S. Women's National Team bested England in the semifinals of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup and tensions could not have been higher.

"So proud," team captain Alex Morgan said after the game on FOX. "It's incredible just to see these players step up."

Amid rising tensions, fans were shocked by the USWNT's starting lineup announcement about an hour before the game, which showed that star Megan Rapinoe, who scored the team's only four goals in the knockout stage thus far, would not be starting. Christen Press played in her place.

"Just a little minor strain, day-to-day," Rapinoe said in an interview after the game on FOX, "but I feel like I'll be ready for the final."

US Soccer did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment. A spokesman said this is "not a disciplinary decision," Yahoo Sports writer Dan Wetzel tweeted.

Despite her absence, the U.S. won 2-1, with American goals scored by Press and Morgan and England's goal scored by Ellen White.

(MORE: USWNT addresses 'arrogant' claims ahead of World Cup semis)

As the defending champions, the United States has been dominating the World Cup, beating Thailand 13-0 in the opener and winning its knockout games against Spain and host country France 2-1 each.

Throughout this competition, the Americans have been dogged by criticisms of being too proud, celebrating too much and veering into arrogance. And with the match coming up, the Brits joined in on those calls.

Francisco Seco/AP
England's Nikita Parris shoots a penalty kick during the Women's World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Norway and England at the Oceane stadium in Le Havre, France, June 27, 2019.

On Sunday, two U.S. staffers visited the hotel the English team is staying at, The Associated Press reported, and England coach Phil Neville took issue with it.

U.S. coach Ellis -- who was actually born in the U.K. -- shot back that the staffers were merely doing their job: Whoever wins this match will be staying at that hotel before the final on July 7, and, Ellis said, the staff wanted to be prepared for those accommodations.

Neville, though, was offended.

"I just thought, 'What are they doing?'" Neville said, according to the AP. "It's not etiquette, really. It's not something I would allow from our organization."

Alex Grimm/Getty Images
Jill Scott of England is challenged by Ingrid Syrstad Engen of Norway during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Quarter Final match between Norway and England at Stade Oceane on June 27, 2019, in Le Havre, France.
(MORE: Can The U.S. Women Keep Up Their European Conquest?)

A British tabloid, meanwhile, questioned if the American athletes were "too arrogant."

"In terms of arrogance I think that's got nothing to do with us. That's planning and preparation for our staff. So I think that's pretty normal," Ellis said.

She added that "it's important that our team has confidence" and that she doesn't "think in any way this is an arrogant team."

"That, to be honest, is nothing to do with the game," Alyssa Naeher, U.S. goalkeeper, said separately in response to the incident, according to Reuters. "Our managers operations have scouted and checked out every hotel we've ever stayed at or potential hotel that we will stay in to get make sure we've got Plan A, Plan B, Plan C."

Alessandra Tarantino/AP
United States' Julie Ertz leaps to head the ball during the Women's World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between France and the United States at Parc des Princes in Paris, June 28, 2019.
Francisco Seco/AP
United States' Megan Rapinoe, right, on her way to scoring her side's second goal during the Women's World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between France and the United States at the Parc des Princes, in Paris, June 28, 2019.
(MORE: As America takes on Spain in World Cup, fans are already inspired)

Meanwhile, the USWNT is facing allegations of arrogance from the president back home.

After a video was released by Eight by Eight magazine showing star Rapinoe saying she's "not going to the f------ White House," President Donald Trump tweeted that she "should WIN first before she TALKS!"

Two days later, Rapinoe scored both of the U.S.'s goals to beat France in the quarter-finals. After her second goal, she faced the crowd with her arms defiantly in the air, a pose many likened to Russell Crowe's "Are you not entertained?" call from the film "Gladiator."

"You're sort of on the stage, so I guess I'm looking at myself as a performer and trying to entertain," Rapinoe told "GMA" after the pose sparked memes.

Alessandra Tarantino/AP
US' Alex Morgan, right, celebrates after scoring her second goal next to England's Demi Stokes during the Women's World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and the United States at the Stade de Lyon in Lyon, France, July 2, 2019.
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Julie Ertz of the USA looks to control the ball during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Semi Final match between England and USA at Stade de Lyon, July 02, 2019, in Lyon, France.
(MORE: World Cup star Megan Rapinoe explains her meme-worthy World Cup goal pose)

"But then Megan, man….. I'll tell you what. You just cannot shake that girl," her girlfriend, WNBA star Sue Bird, wrote for The Players' Tribune about Trump in a semifinals preview piece. "She's going to do her thing, at her own damn speed, to her own damn rhythm, and she's going to apologize to exactly NO ONE for it. So when all the Trump business started to go down last week, I mean — the fact that Megan just seemed completely unfazed? It's strange to say, but that was probably the only normal thing about it."

When it comes to the game itself, Rapinoe's teammate Kelley O'Hara told "GMA," "There's no way you can't be confident when you step on the field and look around."

(MORE: Megan Rapinoe's greatest heartbreak, and hope)

"I step out there and I have that confidence knowing that I'm stepping out with all of these other amazing players next to me," she said.

Earlier this year, the U.S. and England competed against each other at the 2019 SheBelieves Cup, where they tied 2-2. The last time the U.S. played England at a World Cup was in 2007, with the U.S. winning 3-0. Of course, there are new members of each team competing this year.

The U.S. will face the winner of Wednesday's game, Sweden vs. Netherlands, at the finals on Sunday.