The 9-0 remaining was nearly an afterthought for the Individuals, as a veteran stepped away from the worldwide stage and Megan Rapinoe as soon as once more knelt in the course of the taking part in of the nationwide anthem.
BY
John D. Halloran
Posted
September 16, 2016
6:00 AM
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IN ITS FIRST MATCH since being knocked out of the 2016 Olympics, america girls’s nationwide group trounced Thailand 9-0 on Wednesday night time in Columbus, Ohio.
After tallying 4 occasions within the first half, the Individuals added 5 extra within the second stanza for the win. Carli Lloyd (3), Christen Press, Heather O’Reilly, Tobin Heath, Crystal Dunn, and Alex Morgan (2) all scored within the contest.
Listed here are three ideas on the sport.
THE FEEL GOOD MOMENT
U.S. Soccer honored O’Reilly on Wednesday night because the midfielder retired from worldwide play. Marked by success from begin to end, her profession with the U.S. included three Olympic titles, a World Cup championship, and an incredible 231 caps.
In opposition to Thailand, O’Reilly began on the wing for the Individuals and captained the squad. She additionally contributed closely to the U.S.’ early lead, helping on the opening purpose and knocking in one among her personal—each inside the primary 5 minutes of play.
HAO to Lloyd. pic.twitter.com/3J8I9N8Lmg
— Our Recreation Journal (@OurGameMagazine) September 16, 2016
HAO. pic.twitter.com/UFMgfoAlGO
— Our Recreation Journal (@OurGameMagazine) September 16, 2016
With the emergence of gamers like Mallory Pugh and Dunn, O’Reilly completed her profession this summer season as an Olympic alternate. Nonetheless, the consummate group participant took on the function with class and now enters into the pantheon of retired U.S. legends.
THE CONTROVERSIAL MOMENT
Forward of the match towards Thailand, a lot of the pregame consideration targeted on Megan Rapinoe. After kneeling in the course of the nationwide anthem forward of a membership match two weeks in the past in Chicago, Washington Spirit proprietor Invoice Lynch usurped Rapinoe’s alternative to take action once more every week later, taking part in the anthem whereas the groups had been nonetheless within the locker room.
Then, on Sunday, Rapinoe stood in the course of the anthem in Seattle earlier than a match performed on the fifteenth anniversary of the 9/11 assaults.
When the anthem performed on Wednesday in Columbus, nevertheless, Rapinoe knelt once more, setting off a brand new firestorm of debate.
#USWNT midfielder Megan Rapinoe kneels in the course of the nationwide anthem earlier than her sport towards Thailand in Columbus pic.twitter.com/cQUkqkYgEo
— Kyle Robertson (@KRobPhoto) September 16, 2016
No matter one’s opinion on the matter, kneeling throughout a nationwide group contest carries a special weight for a lot of followers than doing so throughout a membership match.
Earlier than the match towards Thailand, Ellis acknowledged that standing in the course of the nationwide anthem was an “expectation” for a nationwide group participant. The coach additionally indicated that Rapinoe shouldn’t be drawing consideration away from the group with a person protest.
“What I always think about is the team, ahead of an individual agenda,” mentioned Ellis. “There’s a myriad of things our players are concerned about, but I also think that when you bring it to a team environment, you bring it to everybody and people that maybe don’t even want to be involved in that discussion. For me personally, when it comes to utilizing a team platform for an individual agenda, I will always put team first and would want the individuals to put team first.”
Ellis additional acknowledged that if Rapinoe knelt, the 2 would have a dialog earlier than Ellis decided what motion she would absorb response.
Jill Ellis nonetheless standing foolishly agency: If Rapinoe does kneel that “it warrants a determination” on shifting ahead pic.twitter.com/ANv5QopjFU
— Andrew Jerell Jones (@sluggahjells) September 16, 2016
THE GAME ITSELF
It’s fairly arduous to take something critical away from such a lopsided sport, particularly one during which the U.S. led 3-0 throughout the first 5 minutes.
Ashlyn Harris began the match in purpose for Hope Solo, whereas Ali Krieger changed Meghan Klingenberg at outdoors again. Press began up high for Morgan and Olympic alternate Sam Mewis acquired the nod at middle mid.
Within the second half, Ellis made liberal use of her substitutes, placing in Rapinoe, Morgan, Klingenberg, Lindsey Horan, Emily Sonnett, and Dunn.
One optimistic that may be taken away is the eagerness the Individuals displayed in leaping out to such a giant lead as early as they did. Desirous to wipe away the stain of their quarterfinal Olympic exit, the U.S. made positive proper from the kickoff to say their dominance and start the lengthy, three-year haul towards the 2019 World Cup in France.
