Auston Matthews’ Team USA captaincy sparked a debate online
Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Auston Matthews being named captain for Team USA has already caused a lot of debate as fans are conflicted over whether he's the right fit for the job.
When Team USA decided to name Auston Matthews their captain for the 2026 Olympics, it caused a bit of a stir online given that Maple Leafs fans were excited, meanwhile it seems like every other fan had some question marks about the decision.
Though he was selected to be their captain last year at the 4 Nations, it's clear he hasn't earned everybody's trust and admiration just yet, and things are seemingly only getting more tense for #34.
Matthews getting flak for captaincy but has a surprising support system
Fans online are not taking too kindly to Matthews' performance as captain thus far, and many are calling for others to take the job instead although the team isn't going to be making a change this far into things:
It's painfully obvious watching Auston Matthews in the 4 Nations and in the Olympics that he is not captain material for this Team USA group. He just isn't. Jack Eichel playing like a captain. Brady Tkachuk too. Not a massive deal but with this crew, but unmistakable
Others were following in the same vein, as many were wondering how the Maple Leafs captain was asked to lead the Americans:
However surprisingly, there were a lot of fans who took Matthews' side and pointed to other issues for Team USA as well as how the team itself wanted Matthews as their leader:
It's understandable why Matthews might be getting some criticism as he hasn't been able to win the big one in Toronto but that doesn't mean he isn't a good leader. He's been a staple of the US program since he was a teenager, and he's more locked in than ever.
He knows how important this tournament is, and he can only do so much. When you have goalies giving up 100-foot goals and he only gets to play 20 shifts a game -- do you expect him to be the only contributor just because he's the captain?
It's time to give Auston Matthews a break and start acknowledging that being a leader takes more than just the on-ice performance and what happens behind closed doors may mean more to the players than anyone really knows.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 15|1199 ANSWERS Auston Matthews’ Team USA captaincy sparked a debate online Do you think Auston Matthews deserve's the captaincy of Team USA? | ||
| Yes | 485 | 40.5 % |
| No | 714 | 59.5 % |
| List of polls | ||