Opinion: A Braggy Blowout?
The record-setting 13-0 victory over Thailand left little to criticize about the United States' dominating performance, and yet some spectators found a way. Controversy has overshadowed the unprecedented victory by the United States in Tuesday’s match against Thailand due to goal celebrations by US players. Here’s why the US deserved every second they spent celebrating:
Most commentators would agree that in a World Cup group stage match, where goal difference can mean the difference between a ticket to the next round and a ticket home, intentionally choosing to stop scoring is off the table. This was no different in the United States vs Thailand match that kicked off their runs in the 2019 Women’s World Cup. The United States is essentially competing against Sweden for the top spot in group F, which determines their path throughout the tournament. While most analysts project the United States will claim the top spot, Sweden has surprised the US women’s national team (USWNT) before, such as in the 2016 Olympics when Sweden defeated the United States in a devastating penalty shootout. With both teams likely to come away with 6 points before they face each other on June 20th, goal difference becomes critical. A 13-0 win will make it very difficult for the Swedes to overtake the United States based on goal difference, paving an easier path for the Americans to reach the final.
Perhaps most importantly, this match was no high school competition. This was a game in the Women’s World Cup, the world’s largest stage for women’s soccer. The teams that make it into this tournament are the elites. Thailand was well aware of what to expect when they qualified for the tournament, and even more so when they learned they would play a team with three of these world championships. Despite the end result, Thailand can return home knowing that they played the best team in the world, one that treated Thailand as their equal by competing to best of their ability.
This game also featured some amazing records set by the US women's national team. Four players scored in their World Cup debuts: Rose Lavelle (20’, 56’), Lindsey Horan (32’), Sam Mewis (50’, 54’), and Mallory Pugh (84’). These players have been dreaming of this moment for their entire lives, and they have trained for years to achieve it. To ask them not to celebrate their dreams coming true is simply wrong. Former USWNT player Abby Wambach may have said it best “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.”
On the other hand, players like Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan have been fixtures on the USWNT for years. Rapinoe (79’) and Lloyd (90+2’) each earned one goal in the game, and Morgan tied a record set by Michelle Akers in 1991 for most goals scored in a single match by scoring five goals (12’, 53’, 74’, 81’, 87’). Many critics have called out these experienced players for poor sportsmanship demonstrated by their celebrations, the argument being that they have scored so many times that these goals shouldn’t be that special. But why are we punishing players for being so passionate about the sport that they have devoted their lives to? And for being able to carry that love with them for so long? These are not bad attributes; in fact, they are what make these players the best in the world.
And here’s the root of the problem: viewers were rightfully saddened to see an inexperienced, underprepared team like Thailand be so thoroughly eviscerated by masters of the game like the United States. The game was clearly lopsided to the point that Thailand never stood a chance.
But that fault does not lie with US players. It lies with FIFA. If the world wants to watch exciting games played between evenly matched opponents then FIFA needs to invest in the women’s game around the world.
The tournament should be expanded further to include 32 teams which will incentivize federations that fall under the reign of FIFA to invest financially in their respective women’s programs. It should also feature rewards that encourage clubs to allow their players the freedom to practice with their national teams. FIFA should promote women’s soccer globally, and that includes equal incentives and equal treatment (like no more attempts to force dangerous play on turf fields.)
There are other issues contributing to this problem that are more difficult to overcome. The United States has more resources available to devote to women’s soccer than Thailand and similar countries. Attitudes towards women’s soccer are still changing as players try to convince the world they are worthy, competitive and fun to watch. Thailand may even want to thank the United States for that as the U.S. women’s national team has been pioneering this effort for more than 20 years.
But FIFA can jump ahead of these obstacles and accelerate the development of women’s soccer by mandating that federations around the world properly invest in their teams.
Until then, let players who love the game play and celebrate unapologetically.