OVERWHELMING
Morgan scores five goals to lead United States in historic opening triumph
REIMS, FRANCE >> The chasm between women’s soccer elite and developing programs has narrowed some in recent years, but in many embarrassing cases, the division remains as wide as oceans, even in a World Cup.
That gap was on full and frightening display Tuesday as the U.S. national team began its quest for a second consecutive trophy with a 13-0 demolition of Thailand — the most lopsided victory in World Cup history — before a crowd of 18,591 at Stade Auguste-Delaune.
And it could have been worse.
Cal’s Alex Morgan tied the program record with five goals, and Rose Lavelle and Samantha Mewis scored two apiece as the top-ranked Americans surpassed Germany’s 11-0 rout of Argentina in 2007.
Michelle Akers is the only other American to post five goals in a World Cup match (in 1991).
“We really just came into the game really wanting to showcase ourselves,” Morgan said. “Every goal matters in this tournament and that’s what we were working on.”
U.S. coach Ellis said, “Getting off on the right foot is important. But we also feel like we’ve got more to do. So were going to stay humble and go back to work.”
The two teams were the last to kickoff in the group stage for the monthlong tournament.
Ranked No. 1 in the world, the Americans had dropped only one match in their previous 38, a loss to France in Le Havre in January. The team is 7-1-2 overall this year, with six straight wins going into the World Cup and its seven different scorers against Thailand set a record for most in a Women’s World Cup game.
The U.S. pounced early against Thailand, too, on Morgan’s header in the 13th minute off Kelley O’Hara’s precisely placed cross. Mewis, Lavelle and Horan were all making their World Cup debuts.
“When you get a deluge of goals like that, it’s a good feeling. It builds confidence,” said Ellis.
Thailand, ranked No. 34 in the world, was clearly outmatched inits fourth World Cup match ever.
At the final whistle, Lloyd and Christen Press were seen consoling the Thailand goalkeeper. Morgan put her arm around Thailand’s Miranda Nild, who was wiping away tears on the pitch. Nild and Morgan both played college soccer forr Golden Bears.
“They were disappointed of course, they intended to make an impression in this first match and they were disappointed,” coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian said. “Yes they are athletes and they will be resilient.”
Chile — a first-time entry that gave Sweden fits Tuesday before falling, 2-0 — will brace for the United States on Sunday in Paris. A U.S. victory would secure passage to the round of 16.
SWEDEN 2, CHILE 0 >> Kosovare Asllani and Madelen Janogy scored late goals as Sweden posted the shutout win.
Asllani broke a scoreless tie in the 83rd minute. Janogy added a goal four minutes into stoppage time by outmaneuvering three defenders to put the game away.
Both goals came after the match was interrupted for 45 minutes by a delay due to heavy rain and lightning. NETHERLANDS 1, NEW ZEALAND 0 >> Jill Roord scored on a header two minutes into stoppage as Netherlands recorded a Group E victory at Le Havre, France.
Roord was stationed near the post as the ball came her way. She headed it downward and it skipped past New Zealand goalkeeper Erin Nayler.
Netherlands had a 17-6 edge in shots but put only three on target. New Zealand also put three on the mark. MAROZSAN OUT >> Dzsenifer Marozsan will miss the remainder of the group stage for Germany because of a broken toe. Germany faces Spain in a Group B match today in Valenciennes.
Germany is hopeful the 27-yearold midfielder can return before the end of the tournament. Marozsan broke the toe on her left foot in Gemany’s 1-0 victory over China on Saturday but finished the match.
Marozsan was an inspirational story for the tournament in France, having returned to the game after a pulmonary embolism kept her sidelined for several months last year. In the final at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, she scored against Sweden in a 2-1 victory for her country’s first gold medal. She has 32 goals in 91 international appearances.
In other action today, host nation France and Norway meet in a battle of unbeatens.