Fair or Foul? Canadians rip US women's soccer team for "disgraceful" celebrations in 13-0 rout.

magneticanisotropy wrote:

Ok, there are two things here:

1.) Winning by 13 is fine in the group state, as goal differential matters. Sweden is in the same group and they are a solid team, and also will most likely win by a lot against Thailand. You are playing to win your group, and since everyone plays Thailand, you get as many points as you can in case of a tie. How embarrassing would it be if USA doesn't advance as the top team because they decide to play mercy at a GD of +7 and then Sweden gets +8?

2.) The celebrations were ridiculous and embarrassing. That was classless.

Exactly right. Also, although it's fairly theoretical, some of the third place teams advance, which makes GD even more important than in the men's WC.

As for the celebrations, I agree that it was absurd, and I was embarrassed. Even some of the fans in the stands looked uncomfortable. Though, I will say that I don't know if the celebrations were really all that disrespectful to Thailand. I'm not sure if I would've felt more embarrassed as a Thai player if my opponent stopped celebrating. I know that's what a lot of people have been saying, but I can't help but feel like a big underlying part of the criticism is just the sense that it's not cool to celebrate that much.

As for the suggestion that people wouldn't criticize a men's team for similar behavior, Abby must not watch a lot of European soccer, where celebration etiquette is an obsession, discussed by sports columnists long after the game. Now, I suppose by some twisted logic you could argue that there's still some sexism behind the criticism because people are expecting a women's team to act like a men's team (i.e., not letting them be who they are, mutually supportive and joyful), but to me that's pretty much the opposite of sexism.

*stipe wrote:

Scoring was fine.

Celebrating was obnoxious.

That’s just me.

This

It was Thailand! The American soccer team was not only silly but it was embarrassing. If they think this was just an amazing accomplishment, it doesn't bode well for their future.

The american players became the mean girls on the world stage

Yes it was embarrassing.

Some of the late celebrations were unacceptable, but some were very muted.

Wombat is a moran.

Wambach is a moron.

Go back and watch the highlights from the Germany thrashing of Brazil (7 to 1) in the semis of the Men's 2014 World Cup. They don't really celebrate at all after the 4th goal. Sure there is a very small celebration (like a fist pump by the player who scored) but nothing anywhere close to what the US women did last night after already being up 9-0. You damn sure didn't see the player sprinting halfway across the pitch to their bench for a full team celebration. If anything, the German players actually looked as if they felt sorry and knew how embarrassing the score line is/was.

That being said, you can't tell your players NOT to score...it is still the point of the game, after all. If anything, I can see where it would be more humiliating to lose 5-0 and literally all the other winning team does is play keep away for the last 30 minutes of the match. Who does that benefit?

Also, this doesn't make women's soccer look good or bad. Everyone who is a fan of the game (men and women) already knows that the once you get past the top 6 women's teams there is a significant drop off in quality, both in terms of talent and technique. It's not gradual, either.

Remember, the out fir any argument these days when you don't know what to say is to accuse the other as "racist" or "sexist".

And yes, it was disgraceful. And yes, we'd say the same to a men's team.

Was looking to see if that 7-1 would be brought up. The other point here was that Germany completely eased off after going 5 up in the first half. The US ladies showed a lack of class, respect for their lower standard opponents, and the women's game in general by doing completely the opposite.

I'm gonna say it:

Thai team should have had a redbull .

Okay now a real post.

Obviously the women's team should be happy this was "a major victory" there. If you can't act like you belong then your actions will put you where you belong.

Does Hope Solo still play from the team? This is the attitude I'd expect from her classless act.

The bleached blonde’s conduct was especially disappointing IIRC, I don’t remember her name.

I agree it is over the top. But, on the other hand, they are being criticized by people from a country that's basically America's hat....

For some perspective, Thailand beat Laos 14-1 in 2012 and Canada beat Puerto Rico 21-0 in a friendly in 1998. If you can dish out a 13-21 point beat down, then you are can’t complain when someone lays a 13 point beat down on you ( in fairness it is the Canucks and not the Thais who are complaining).

One more 2018 CONCACAF Canada 12, Cuba 0.

Most people agree that scoring 13 goals isn't a problem. It's the group stages of the tournament and goals matter in terms of breaking any W-L-D ties. The number of goals isn't a problem at all.

The issue is the team acting like idiots dancing all over the place after each and every goal. You have a team of professionals on the highest funded team in the world dominating a team of amateurs, then celebrating each goal like they've just scored a last minute winner in the World Cup Final. The first 4,5,6 goals or whatever is fine, but going crazy after your 10th goal? Imagine Alabama football hanging 100+ points on a community college and celebrating their 11th TD by jumping into the crowd or over the top celebrations after their 12th TD?

This is the pinnacle of soccer. The biggest stage. You score all the goals you can get. If you don't want the other team celebrating, don't let them score. It isn't against the rules.

Jill Ellis wants killers on her team. Sometimes they get loose and do something inappropriate. Too bad. Perhaps the men's team could use the attitude adjustment (US lost to Venezuela 3-0 last Sunday).

College can’t celebrate so poor example. Let’s look at the NFL, oh yeah, happens all the time.

This is proof that they had no business changing up and increasing the group stage to 24 teams. There just aren’t 24 teams strong enough to be in the WWC.

Btw, I’d celebrate too if I scored a goal in the World Cup. It’s not your middle school gym class league.

Trump is going to levy a 5% tariff on all Canadian goods until they apologize. Goes up 5% per week.

Just like the other thread on this same game, my reaction is to post one of my “humiliating” losses, of which there are many.

At 8 I was beaten to the ground literally in a mile race, out of breath, collapsed, choking, & crying (scar tissue in my lungs, but I didn’t know it then). Probably motivated me. I still hate middle distance, though. Ultras for me, ha ha.