ATLANTA -- Megan Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem prior to the United States womens national team game on Sunday. This gesture of continued social protest leaves her at odds with the stated expectations of her coach and U.S. Soccer for the second time in four days.A U.S. Soccer spokesperson confirmed before Sundays game that no punishment was levied on Rapinoe as a result of kneeling against Thailand.But U.S. Soccer indicated that the situation could be re-evaluated if Rapinoe continued to kneel during the anthem.On Sunday, Rapinoe stood on the sideline alongside other U.S. non-starters during the national anthem of the visiting team -- the Netherlands -- then dropped to one knee as the U.S. anthem began to play.Any displeasure among the fans in attendance was muted, though in the silence before the anthem a lone voice in the stands could be heard yelling, Stand up.Obviously there were boos tonight, boos and cheers tonight. I totally respect that, Rapinoe said. People feel a certain way, and I want to be respected for the way that I feel. I think thats their right to do that. I totally understand that. That said, theres some people that support me.Rapinoe said she had met with coach Jill Ellis and media-relations official Aaron Heifetz and just sort of talked through my process.I havent talked to U.S. Soccer outside of these guys, and theyre the ones here with me so I expect that would be who I would talk to, Rapinoe said. But yeah, I want to keep everybody in the loop. Its sort of an ongoing thought process. Whats the best way to handle everything and, for me, whats the best way moving forward? And then, obviously, it affects everyone, so I want to appreciate and make sure Im keeping everyone in the loop and hearing their opinions and giving mine as well.Rapinoe first knelt during the anthem prior to a Sept. 4 National Womens Soccer League game, shortly after San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick?protested the anthem on the sideline of NFL games.?I think just the conversation at large is really kind of picking up steam ... Rapinoe said. I think its taking that in stride and understanding and respecting and appreciating that people can be upset with what Im talking about or the fact that Im kneeling.But also knowing there is so much support out there, and I feel that. And thats important for me to kind of take a step back and see both sides and get a bigger picture that the conversation is happening, and its going in a positive direction. I think more people are engaged in the issues I want to talk about.U.S. Soccer had issued a statement that said, in part, it is the federations expectation that our players and coaches will stand and honor our flag while the national anthem is played. That echoed earlier comments made by Ellis.Its a very tough topic, Ellis said. Megans intent is to have people talking about that. You hope that at some point that comes. People are going to be very passionate, very opinionated, and I respect that, too. ... My hope is that we move forward in a positive way. In not just this but in a lot of different things, in terms of having discussions about hard issues and people committing to things and being passionate about things.The national team next plays on Oct. 19 in Utah in the first of two games against Switzerland. Rapinoes professional team, Seattle Reign FC, plays its regular-season finale Sunday in a nationally televised game on the road against the Houston Dash.I dont know why [when she stops kneeling] has to be the most important thing in this, Rapinoe said. I think in a large way its OK, youve knelt, youve made your point. But I dont necessarily feel like that. I dont know what that looks like. Do I kneel forever? I dont know, probably not. But I think until I can feel like Im being more effective in other ways, then this seems appropriate to me. T.J. Hockenson Youth Jersey . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. Kerryon Johnson Youth Jersey . 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Faltering North Melbourne have inadvertently breathed life into the AFL finals race.Less than two months ago, the Kangaroos sat proudly atop the table, having won their opening nine games.But they have since plummeted all the way to eighth having lost six of their past seven matches, with Saturday evenings 28-point defeat at the hands of Port Adelaide potentially the most costly of all.The ninth-placed Power and St Kilda (8-8 and 32 points) are eight points adrift of North Melbourne and shape as the only teams capable of displacing the Kangaroos from the finals equation.The Roos last four home and away matches are against teams certain to feature in the post-season action.But before they turn their attention to the tough run home, North simply need to find a way back onto the winners track, starting with Friday nights clash against improving Collingwood.Anyone can do it when youre 9-0 and cruising - nows the time we have to stand up and right the ship, get back on course, said coach Brad Scott.I still have great faith and confidence in us as a football club.It was Ports first win this year against a top-eight side but coach Ken Hinkley was quick to shift his focus to what happens next in round 18 against GWS.Right now, we just cant afford to go anywhere but next week, he said.St Kilda are level on pointss with Port, but they have a much worse percentage.ddddddddddddThe Saints started slowly against Melbourne on Sunday but still found a way to record a 14th straight victory over the Demons, 15.20 (110) to 11.8 (74).West Coast stayed in the hunt for the coveted double chance in the finals after just withstanding a late rally by Carlton to record a seven-point victory at the MCG on Sunday.Greater Western Sydney are already in the top four, having belted the hapless Brisbane Lions by a percentage-boosting 79 points to vault into fourth spot.The Lions must now try and find a way to regroup ahead of the wooden-spoon decider against Essendon next weekend.Hawthorn (52 points) sit a game clear atop the table after Cyril Rioli kicked a clutch final-minute goal to seal a five-point win over fifth-placed Sydney.Adelaide moved into second spot on 48 points - ahead of the Western Bulldogs on percentage - by celebrating Scott Thompsons 300th game in style with a 14.13 (97) to 10.9 (69) victory over Collingwood.Geelong did enough to down Fremantle 11.12 (78) to 9.7 (61) at Domain Stadium.Only 4.3 per cent separates the fourth-placed Giants from the seventh-ranked Cats in a top-eight logjam. 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