The U.S. women’s national team opened World Cup play on Tuesday in dominant, historic fashion.
Their 13-0 victory over Thailand was a record margin for the Women’s World Cup and cause for elation for the team and its fans. Alex Morgan’s individual tally of five goals tied a tournament record.
But as the USWNT celebrated turning a 3-0 halftime rout into a new standard for dominant play against an over matched opponent, some took umbrage with not only the margin — but the players’ continued celebration of the scores well after the game was in hand.
‘There are kids watching’
Clare Rustad and Kaylyn Kyle, analysts for Canadian sports network TSN and former players for the Canadian women’s national team, had some of the strongest rebukes.
"I just think they could have won with some humility and grace, and they just couldn’t manage to do that," Rustad said."Celebrating goals later in the game like this is just completely unnecessary.”
Kyle grabbed the baton from Rustad and ran full bore into “disgusted” territory.
“What is this?” Kyle responded. “They’re the No. 1 team in the world. And for me, I’m disgusted, honestly. You’re going up against a team that’s their first time in the World Cup. They’re just happy to be there. ... I’m embarrassed. I was a female professional athlete. There are kids watching this.”
It’s actually the second time Thailand made the World Cup after the team’s debut in 2015.
Not everybody was pleased with how the USWNT handled itself during an historic World Cup rout. (Getty)
Rustad, Kyle weren’t alone in criticism
Like with Kyle and Rustad, the score wasn’t the primary issue for many critics, but how the players handled themselves and the fact that such a disparate matchup was allowed to take place to begin with.
That USWNT result did feel gross, but not because the USWNT did anything wrong. It's because FIFA and FAs don't do anything for women's soccer and allow disparities like that to exist.
The counterargument
Of course as with most everything involving social media, there were strongly worded takes on the other side, with many questioning if a men’s team would receive the same criticism.
Of course the U.S. men’s national team didn’t even make the most recent World Cup, much less beat an opponent by double digits, so there’s no real comparable to hold Tuesday’s result up against.
For all that have issue with many goals: for some players this is there first World Cup goal, and they should be excited. Imagine it being you out there.This is your dream of playing and then scoring in a World Cup. Celebrate.Would you tell a men’s team to not score or celebrate?
I get the argument against "running up the score." I also think part of respecting your opponent is to treat them as an equal. Treating them as if they are not worthy of your full effort for 30 minutes seems just as humiliating. #USA #USWNT
0 Comments