U.S. women’s soccer team faces Chile with a chance to advance in the World Cup

Just as the uproar following its opening 13-0 win over Thailand is quieting down, the United States has taken a 3-0 lead into halftime against Chile at the Women’s World Cup in Paris.

The U.S. jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a Cari Lloyd goal in the 11th minute. Julie Ertz doubled the Americans’ lead with a header off a corner kick in the 26th

Lloyd picked up her second off a corner kick in the 35th minute as the U.S. took a 3-0 lead into halftime – the same edge they held over Thailand before scoring 10 goals in the second half. Lloyd’s second goal was her 10th in World Cup play. 

Chile nearly equalized in the 21st minute off a set piece, but no fewer than two Chilean players were offside on the play and the goal was disallowed. 

The three-time World Cup champion can advance to the round of 16 with a win on Sunday. 

Carli Lloyd, left, celebrates with teammate Morgan Brian after scoring her second goal Sunday

Julie Ertz scores a goal to make it 2-0 during the United States' game against Chile on Sunday

Julie Ertz scores a goal to make it 2-0 during the United States’ game against Chile on Sunday

Claudia Endler of Chile fails to save from Julie Ertz of the USA (not pictured) as Julie Ertz scores her team's second goal in Sunday's Group F match

Claudia Endler of Chile fails to save from Julie Ertz of the USA (not pictured) as Julie Ertz scores her team’s second goal in Sunday’s Group F match 

Daniela Zamora of Chile is challenged by Tierna Davidson of the USA during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between USA and Chile at Parc des Princes

Daniela Zamora of Chile is challenged by Tierna Davidson of the USA during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France group F match between USA and Chile at Parc des Princes

Coming off her record-setting five goal performance against Thailand, forward Alex Morgan was not in the starting lineup on Sunday, nor was team captain, Megan Rapinoe. 

In a sign of American depth, new starters included the 36-year-old Lloyd, who scored a hat trick in the 2015 World Cup final victory over Japan. Lloyd was among five U.S. players who were on the field for every minute of the 2015 World Cup, joined by Sauerbrunn, goalkeeper Hope Solo and defenders Julie Johnston and Meghan Klingenberg. 

Alyssa Naeher remained in goal for the defending champions on Sunday and Abby Dahlkemper was the lone holdover on the back line, joined at center back by Becky Sauerbrunn, who missed the opening 13-0 rout of Thailand because of a quadriceps injury. Ali Krieger was on the right and 20-year-old Tierna Davidson on the left in her World Cup debut.

Ertz returned to her usual defensive midfield position after shifting to the back line for the opener because of Sauerbrunn’s absence. Morgan Brian replaced Rose Lavelle on the right and Lindsey Horan remained on the left.

The 36-year-old Lloyd once scored a hat trick in the 2015 World Cup final victory over Japan

United States' Carli Lloyd celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Women's World Cup Group F soccer match between the United States and Chile at the Parc des Princes in Paris

United States’ Carli Lloyd celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Women’s World Cup Group F soccer match between the United States and Chile at the Parc des Princes in Paris

Carli Lloyd of the U.S. scores the first goal of Sunday's game against Chile

Carli Lloyd of the U.S. scores the first goal of Sunday’s game against Chile 

Many American soccer fans went casual for the second game of the 2019 World Cup

Many American soccer fans went casual for the second game of the 2019 World Cup 

Criticized for both running up the score against Thailand and celebrating each of its record-breaking 13 goals, the Americans have dismissed the scrutiny and focused only on their bid to win a fourth World Cup title.  

Rapinoe, interviewed on FOX Sports on Wednesday, also addressed the critics, many of whom referred to the celebrations as ‘disgusting’ on social media. 

‘If anyone wants to come at our team for not doing the right thing, not playing the right way, not being a good ambassador, they can come at us. It was an explosion of joy,’ she said. ‘If our crime is joy, then we will take that.’

The new American front line replaced Tobin Heath, Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, who scored a record-tying five goals Tuesday. Pugh In a sign of American depth, new starters included the 36-year-old Lloyd, who scored a hat trick in the 2015 World Cup final victory over Japan. Lloyd was among five U.S. players who were on the field for every minute of the 2015 World Cup, joined by Sauerbrunn, goalkeeper Hope Solo and defenders Julie Johnston and Meghan Klingenberg

The new American front line replaced Tobin Heath, Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, who scored a record-tying five goals Tuesday. Pugh In a sign of American depth, new starters included the 36-year-old Lloyd, who scored a hat trick in the 2015 World Cup final victory over Japan. Lloyd was among five U.S. players who were on the field for every minute of the 2015 World Cup, joined by Sauerbrunn, goalkeeper Hope Solo and defenders Julie Johnston and Meghan Klingenberg 

Claudia Endler of Chile punches the ball clear during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between USA and Chile at Parc des Princes on Sunday

Claudia Endler of Chile punches the ball clear during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France group F match between USA and Chile at Parc des Princes on Sunday

Rapinoe pointed to the team’s young players who scored their first World Cup goals and said they had every right to celebrate, including Samantha Mewis, Rose Lavelle, Mallory Pugh and Lindsey Horan.

In a postgame show of sportsmanship, the U.S. team also consoled some of the emotional Thai players. Morgan offered encouragement to forward Miranda Nild, who like Morgan played college soccer at Cal.

In a postgame show of sportsmanship, the U.S. team also consoled some of the emotional Thai players. Alex Morgan (left) offered encouragement to forward Miranda Nild (right), who like Morgan played college soccer at Cal

In a postgame show of sportsmanship, the U.S. team also consoled some of the emotional Thai players. Alex Morgan (left) offered encouragement to forward Miranda Nild (right), who like Morgan played college soccer at Cal

Thailand’s players were disappointed, but they have also been on the other end of blowouts. Thailand won a friendly over Indonesia 13-0 last year, and beat Cambodia 11-0 in the group stage of the AFF Women’s Championship. (Thailand lost 5-1 to Sweden on Sunday) 

‘In football games, everybody is following the rules, and everyone is trying their best,’ Thailand coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian said. ‘We have to accept that, this team is very good. We don’t have any excuse, except they are better.’

Some have suggested that the blowout win for the U.S. just highlights the uneven playing field in this tournament.  

Players for the defending champion U.S. team enjoy things like nutritionists and massage therapists, access to top-level training facilities and play an array of exhibition games against world-class competition. Thailand struggles for the basics, even a large enough player pool to draw on for talent. They play a limited number of friendlies against quality opponents and players need jobs outside of soccer to make ends meet.

‘There are some teams here that, since the last World Cup, have only played a handful of games, or only the qualifiers,’ Rapinoe said. ‘It’s embarrassing for the federations and for FIFA as well.

Lindsey Horan of the U.S. is shown a yellow card by referee Riem Hussein on Sunday

Lindsey Horan of the U.S. is shown a yellow card by referee Riem Hussein on Sunday 

Crystal Dunn and Julie Ertz of USA sit on the pitch during a stadium walk through

Crystal Dunn and Julie Ertz of USA sit on the pitch during a stadium walk through 

Former US player Abby Wambach also supported her old teammates: ‘For all that have issue with many goals: for some players this is their 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?’ 

Fox Sports presenter Aly Wagner added: ‘It’s a World Cup. You score, you celebrate. This is a dream for these players.’  

Goals can be used to determine tiebreakers in group play, and team captain Megan Rapinoe said the U.S. women aren’t taking any chances. 

‘Obviously we have the utmost respect for everyone we play, but it’s the World Cup,’ Rapinoe said. 

Other commentators and fans on Twitter have described the jubilant celebrations as unsporting and even ‘disgusting.’  

The debate over sportsmanship got so heated that former Canadian team player and TSN analyst Kaylyn Kyle says she received death threats after criticizing the U.S. women. 

‘They’re the No. 1 team in the world and for me, I’m disgusted, honestly. 

‘As a Canadian we would just never ever think of doing something like that … For me it’s disrespectful, it’s disgraceful,’ said Kyle on the Tuesday’s TSN broadcast, according to the Globe and Mail.   

Kyel responded to the death threats on Twitter. 

‘To the people sending me death threats, let me set the record STRAIGHT! I never once said to never score as many goals as you can in a World Cup!!!’ she wrote. ‘PLEASE WATCH FULL SEGMENT! I said the exact opposite ITS THE WORLD CUP!!! You score as many as you can and don’t take the foot off the gas pedal!

‘I did say I thought it was excessive and disrespectful the goal celebrations of the American team once the score hit 8-0. Everyone is allowed there (sic) opinions towards my thoughts 100% but please leave the death threats! I’m a big girl and love a good debate but there’s no need for this in this already crazy world! Love you all.’ 

Many fans expressed outrage over the US women's national team's goal celebrations during the 13-0 rout

However, others were quick to defend the American women, saying they would do the same thing in that situation

Many fans expressed outrage over the US women’s national team’s goal celebrations during the 13-0 rout. However, others were quick to defend the American women, saying they would do the same thing in that situation 

Many Twitter users stood up for the women's team and said that they don't get half the credit they deserve

There were mixed opinions on the team's reactions to the goals

Many Twitter users stood up for the women’s team and said that they don’t get half the credit they deserve

Commentators and fans on Twitter have described the jubilant celebrations as a 'disgrace'

Commentators and fans on Twitter have described the jubilant celebrations as a ‘disgrace’ 

Another former Canadian player Clare Rustad also blasted the US team. ‘I just think they could have won with some humility and grace, and they just couldn’t manage to do that,’ Rustad said while commentating.

‘Celebrating goals later in the game like this is just completely unnecessary. What is this?’ 

Several fans on Twitter also made their feelings known. 

‘I understand running up the score for goal difference but no need to celebrate every single goal like classless jerks,’ one wrote. 

Another added: ‘Ok settle down USA… you’re up 11-0 against Thailand.’ 

Former American international Taylor Twellman criticized the team, believing the side’s goal celebrations in Reims were excessive.

‘Celebrating goals (like #9) leaves a sour taste in my mouth like many of you. Curious to see if anyone apologizes for this postgame,’ Twellman tweeted to his 327,000 followers.

He was also critical of the US women for showing their hand ahead of games against more formidable opponents.

‘Not sure why the #USWNT is ‘wasting’ any of their set plays when the score is 3-0. Bury (Thailand) then move on but don’t use anything that could be needed in future games,’ he wrote. 

Thailand finally found something to celebrate after a humiliating start to the Women’s World Cup.

It was just a single goal, and it came in a 5-1 loss to Sweden on Sunday, but it was enough to briefly allow the Thai squad to celebrate. Thailand was routed 13-0 by the United States in its opener.

Sweden, which advanced into the round of 16 with the victory, led 4-0 when Thailand scored. Kanjana Sungngoen got on the end of a high ball and beat Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl at her near post in the first minute of stoppage time.

The Thai players and coaches celebrated as if they had won the match.

Five different players scored for Sweden, and the last goal came from Elin Rubensson from the penalty spot on the final kick of the game after a video review.

The Thai squad bowed to its fans after the final whistle. The game had the smallest announced crowd so far at this tournament with only 9,354 fans in attendance for the Group F match in Nice.

Thailand finally found something to celebrate after a humiliating start to the Women's World Cup. It was just a single goal, and it came in a 5-1 loss to Sweden on Sunday, but it was enough to briefly allow the Thai squad to celebrate. Thailand was routed 13-0 by the U.S.  in its opener

Thailand finally found something to celebrate after a humiliating start to the Women’s World Cup. It was just a single goal, and it came in a 5-1 loss to Sweden on Sunday, but it was enough to briefly allow the Thai squad to celebrate. Thailand was routed 13-0 by the U.S.  in its opener

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