United States v Thailand was the first game to be played in Group F of the group stage of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. The game was played in the Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, France, on June 11, 2019, between the women's national football (soccer) teams of the United States and Thailand. The United States won the match 13–0, making it the biggest ever victory in the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Alex Morgan scored five times, tying a tournament and team record set by Michelle Akers for most goals scored by a player in a single World Cup match, while four other U.S. team members scored their first World Cup goals in their debut at the tournament. The USWNT also set a record for most goals in one half, with 10, including four goals in six minutes.

Background Thailand had qualified for their second consecutive World Cup, having debuted in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. The core of the 2019 Thailand squad was retained for the 2019 tournament with Miranda Nild as an addition. Nuengrutai Srathongvian was their head coach for both the 2015 and 2019 tournaments. The team was backed by billionaire Nualphan Lamsam as its team manager and sponsor.

Due to the group they were drawn in, they faced Sweden and Chile, as well as the defending champions of the U.S. team.

The two national teams had only met once prior to this match: a 2016 exhibition game in Columbus, Ohio, in which Thailand lost 9-0.

Match

Detail

GK 1 Alyssa NaeherRB 5 Kelley O'HaraCB 7 Abby DahlkemperCB 8 Julie Ertz LB 19Crystal DunnCM 16Rose Lavelle CM 3 Sam MewisCM 9 Lindsey HoranRF 17Tobin Heath CF 13Alex MorganLF 15Megan Rapinoe (c)Substitutions:FW 10Carli Lloyd FW 23Christen Press FW 2 Mallory Pugh Manager:Jill Ellis GK 18Sukanya Chor CharoenyingRB 9 Warunee Phetwiset CB 3 Natthakarn ChinwongCB 2 Kanjanaporn SaenkhunLB 10Sunisa SrangthaisongRM 7 Silawan IntameeCM 20Wilaiporn Boothduang CM 5 Ainon PhanchaLM 12Rattikan Thongsombut CF 21Kanjana Sungngoen (c)CF 8 Miranda NildSubstitutions:MF 6 Pikul Khueanpet FW 17Taneekarn Dangda FW 13Orathai Srimanee Manager:Nuengrutai Srathongvian

Player of the Match: Alex Morgan (United States)

Assistant referees: Mariana de Almeida (Argentina) Mary Blanco (Colombia) Fourth official: Claudia Umpiérrez (Uruguay) Reserve assistant referee: Luciana Mascaraña (Uruguay) Video assistant referee: Mauro Vigliano (Argentina) Assistant video assistant referees: José María Sánchez Martínez (Spain) Sarah Jones (New Zealand)

Criticism The U.S. team was criticized for celebrating their later goals during the match, with media commentators and former players calling it disrespectful. The celebrations were defended by other commentators, the team's players, and members of the Thai team.

Thai goalkeeper Sukanya Chor Charoenying was disappointed with the result but thanked American forward Carli Lloyd for consoling her shortly after the match.

Former Canadian player Kaylyn Kyle received death threats for criticizing the U.S. team's behavior on television after the game.

2019 FIFA Women's World Cup – Group F

See also Hungary v El Salvador (1982 FIFA World Cup), the biggest victory in men's FIFA World Cup Thailand at the FIFA Women's World Cup United States at the FIFA Women's World Cup

References