USA vs Thailand Women’s World Cup – My quick thoughts after USA obliterates the Thai Elephants in World Record performance.
First Half:
USA could not have asked for a better start. Fans only had to wait 12’ before we got the first goal. Coming off the head of Alex Morgan, it was serendipitous. An auspicious prophecy coming true. It had to be her. Morgan begins the USWNT World Cup campaign with an early goal that burst the flood gates open.
Each goal was a perfect example of theory put into practice. The header to get things started, a long shot banger to make it 2-0, and then to dig the knife in deeper, a cheeky low swinging set piece that was easily poked in. It was a buffet of goals in the first half, but only to be outdone in the second.
Tactically:
USA was able to break down Thailand’s compacted midfield by finding width with fullbacks O’Hara and Dunn on overlapping runs. Forcing Thailand to cover the wide space freed up Alex Morgan to run and hunt for the ball without much trouble. She was able to get a plethora of touches in advantages areas to the demise of the Thais. This was only one facet of the US's performance. They overwhelmed the Thai's defense and never relented with putting pressure on the Thai's questionable keeper.
Second Half:
This is where things got a little nuts. I won’t bore you with describing each goal here. Morgan's 5 goal performance was crucial in their record breaking scoreline--no other team, men or women, have ever scored 13 goals in a World Cup match.
The 2nd half goals came early and often--each easier than the one before. I’ll merely leave you with the scoresheet as evidence.
- Alex Morgan 12'
- Rose Lavelle 20'
- Lindsey Horan 32'
- Samantha Mewis 50'
- Alex Morgan 53'
- Samantha Mewis 54'
- Rose Lavelle 56'
- Alex Morgan 74'
- Megan Rapinoe 79'
- Alex Morgan 81'
- Mallory Pugh 84'
- Alex Morgan 87'
- Carli Lloyd 90'+
If you read my previous post, I spoke about the impeding bloodbath that Thailand faced at the hands of the US, imploring anyone betting to take overs, lopsided scorelines, and bet on a heavy US win. The result speaks for itself. I hope someone listened. Wish we had the WC on BetScorum because I'd be sitting pretty right about now.
Full Highlights
Quick Note Chile vs Sweden:
Of course I watched the other match in Group F. Sweden were the heavy favorites but did little in the 90’ to demonstrate why. They inevitably got over the line and took all 3 points with a goal midway through the 2nd half and then another in stoppage time, but they were unconvincing for majority of the match. Keeping in mind, Chile are ranked lower than Thailand and should have posed little trouble for the Swedes.
Chile did well to defend and frustrate the dominant side, and the Chileans will prove to be more of a task to put down by the USA than I first expected. I also expect Sweden to play much better when they come up against us than they did here. There's was a bit of sloppiness mixed with playing to their opponent's level--both I suspect will be remedied by the time they play the US.
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