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USWNT vs Thailand: Is the USWNT “Classless” or Unsportsmanlike?

GranolaJeremy
USWNT vs Thailand FIFA Women's World Cup

USWNT vs Thailand: 13-0 and Unsportsmanlike

To everyone calling the USWNT unsportsmanlike after their recent 13-0 win, please stop. These women are warriors and this is their job. Winning, even if by the largest margin in World Cup history, is completely within their rights. It should be nothing but praised. Yes, it was the USWNT vs Thailand and not the USWNT vs France or Germany. Nonetheless, dominating at the international level is exactly what the USWNT need to do at this World Cup.

This is the World Cup

First off, this is the FIFA World Cup. It’s the world’s most prestigious sporting event, aside from the Olympics multi-sport compilation. For this reason alone, letting off the gas is not a concern. These are the world’s greatest athletes. It’s not the USWNT’s job to stop scoring. It’s the opposing defenses job to do that. Additionally, blowing out the other team is not unsportsmanlike. At all. This isn’t youth sports and it’s not an adult rec-league. There’s no need to keep things close to encourage the other team to keep playing. It’s not about fun, friends and having a good time. It may be a game to many, but this is their job. They are all professional soccer players. Their motivation already comes from pride, country and paycheck.

Celebrating Doesn’t Make the USWNT Classless

Even so, the celebrations looked “classless” to many. Why is it okay for Megan Rapinoe to celebrate after she scored the USWNT’s ninth goal?

Well, it’s okay because this is a tournament that happens once every four years. This is the FIFA World Cup! These women are playing for their country, in front of the most eyes women’s soccer ever receives. Most men and women never play in a World Cup, let alone score in one. For some of these athletes, this will be their only World Cup. They’ve worked tirelessly towards this tournament. It’s the pinnacle of their profession. So, celebrating a goal scored in the biggest moment of their lives should not be an issue.

Practice is Great. But In-Game Experience is Better, even a 13-0 USWNT vs Thailand Match

Additionally, that USWNT vs Thailand win was excellent for player form. Athletics are about form, rhythm and confidence. Practice can only do so much. In-game experience is completely different. Players have to find their top level quickly. Not adjusting from practice to the real deal is costly. At major tournaments, form and confidence swing like a pendulum. Teams catch fire or drop out. Even the best players in the world catch the “yips”. Jill Ellis and U.S. fans should be nothing but excited about seeing Alex Morgan and company at the top of their game. For goodness sake, seven different women scored a goal for the USWNT. 

In their spectacular victory, the USWNT set records for:

Debuts and Veterans

Adding to that is Alex Morgan’s historic, five-goal scamper. With five goals, she tied the World Cup match record for individual goals scored. For a team with goalkeeping and defensive question marks, firing on all offensive cylinders is absolutely necessary. Especially considering how many young stars are in their first major tournament. Not only do these young stars get critical experience and minutes, they get to test their powers. Unlike Carli Lloyd, who continues to find the back of the net no matter her age or club form, Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Horan, Sam Mewis and Mallory Pugh scored their first ever World Cup Goals. Any anxiety about their first World Cup disappeared when that ball hit the back of the net. Not every game is going to be the USWNT vs Thailand. They are going to have more difficult opponents, so this win is good for rhythm and form.

This is Their Job

Also, it’s important to reemphasize that this sport is their profession. It’s not a hobby or a game. To them, it is their livelihood. In any other profession, winning big and celebrating is encouraged. America, perhaps more than any other country in the world, praises revenue and gains. Companies don’t discourage their salesman and saleswomen to share the market with their competitors. That would be ridiculous. Small business and corporation alike, increasing individual margins is a top goal. Change inevitably happens and successful people strike when the iron is hot. They utilize opportunity and advantage. In the same way, the USWNT are making the most of their time and talent. This World Cup is short and goal differentials become monumental tiebreakers. Scoring big helps the USWNT stay ahead and lock their eyes on one goal: win the 2019 FIFA World Cup.

USWNT vs. U.S. Soccer

Most importantly, the UWSNT are earning their paycheck. As discussed in a previous article, the USWNT are locked in a lawsuit against U.S. Soccer over pay equality. This victory adds fuel to the USWNT’s case. In the men’s last three World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014), they scored 12 goals combined. In just one victory, these women outscored that. Unlike the lackluster men, the U.S. women are as impressive as the Golden State Warriors or New England Patriots. With each highlight they create, they add audience, revenue and respect to women’s soccer. When they win, women’s soccer wins. Sports and pay are already stacked against female athletes. Instead of jeering them for celebrating victory, support them and assist their rise.