New York City police say they are investigating a possible hate crime directed toward Megan Rapinoe after posters featuring the U.S. soccer star were defaced with derogatory slurs.

Police said the vandalism, which was discovered inside the Bryant Park subway station in midtown Manhattan on Monday, was being investigated by the New York Police Department's Hate Crime Task Force.

The posters have since been scrubbed clean. Rapinoe, who is gay, has been an outspoken advocate for gender equity and LGBTQ inclusion.

The U.S. women's national team was honored with a ticker tape parade Wednesday up New York City's Canyon of Heroes for winning the World Cup.

After the parade, Rapinoe urged Americans to "love more" and "hate less."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.