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.[1][2]
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.[3] The team was backed by billionaire Nualphan Lamsam as its team manager and sponsor.[4]
Due to the group they were drawn in, they faced Sweden and Chile, as well as the defending champions of the U.S. team.[3]
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.
The U.S. team was criticized for celebrating their later goals during the match, with media commentators and former players calling it disrespectful.[7][8][9] The celebrations were defended by other commentators, the team's players, and members of the Thai team.[10][11][12]
Thai goalkeeper Sukanya Chor Charoenying was disappointed with the result but thanked American forward Carli Lloyd for consoling her shortly after the match.[13]
Former Canadian player Kaylyn Kyle received death threats for criticizing the U.S. team's behavior on television after the game.[14]
