Critics are slamming the US Women's National Soccer Team for celebrating their landslide 13-0 defeat of Thailand — but others have defended the team and say the backlash is sexist
- The US women's national soccer team beat Thailand in a blowout 13-0 match in the group stage of the Women's World Cup on Tuesday.
- Some criticized the American women for their joyous celebrations after the landslide defeat, which they found unsportsmanlike.
- But even more jumped to defend the team, including tennis legend Billie Jean King, who tweeted: "Athletes should always play to their skill level."
The US women's national soccer team is facing backlash for their celebrations on the field after Tuesday night's landslide 13-0 defeat of Thailand in the Women's World Cup.
Soccer fans took to Twitter to say they found the more than a dozen goals gratuitous, and felt that the team rubbed their victory in their opponents' faces.
W/ goal differential being so important, or potentially so, scoring an abundance of them in group stage can be meaningful. Ao score away. Just hate seeing Rapinoe showing up her opponent like that. Celebrate w/ teammates but the “routine” was rubbing her opponents’s nose in it.
— John Putney (@putneyjk) June 11, 2019
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.
— Kim McCauley (@lgbtqfc) June 11, 2019
???????? Canada was not impressed by the #USWNT today. Clare Rustad, Kaylyn Kyle, and Diana Matheson rip Rapinoe and Morgan for what they call "classless behavior". #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/2U3eVCFb2M
— WoSo Comps (@WoSo_Comps) June 11, 2019
The only criticism I have about the #USWNT and the 13-0 score, is some of the later goals were celebrated too . After it’s 6-0 you stop doing choreographed dances and such. #USATHA
— Sean Kent (@seankent) June 11, 2019
But even more came to the American team's defense, calling the criticism sexist.
Many also pointed out that in the group stage, it's not just wins that matter but the total number of goals. Countering the argument that the celebrations were over-the-top, others pointed to the fact that the first thing team captain Carli Lloyd did after the win was comfort the Thai goal keeper.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King was among the many to voice her support for the American women.
Every goal matters when the goal differential is the tiebreaker in group play. Athletes should always play to their skill level.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) June 12, 2019
Full stop. ⚽️????????#FIFAWWC #USWNT
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?
— Abby Wambach (@AbbyWambach) June 11, 2019
Imagine a men's sports team being accused of going too far because they played their best in a consequential match? You can't because it wouldn't happen. https://t.co/BQKEbFJIXL
— ilyse hogue (@ilyseh) June 12, 2019
"Every goal matters when the goal differential is the tiebreaker in group play. Athletes should always play to their skill level. Full stop," King tweeted.
Team star Megan Rapinoe spoke with Fox Soccer the morning after their win and said she had heard about the backlash and didn't mind.
"If anyone wants to come at our team for not doing the right thing, not playing the right way, not being the right ambassador for the sport, they can come at us. Because I think out only crime was an explosion of joy last night," she said.
"I think our only crime was an explosion of joy last night." @mPinoe responds to the world's reaction to the @USWNT's 13-0 win pic.twitter.com/y9MMIVg6vh
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 12, 2019