Watch all the key plays as the U.S. women's national team takes on Thailand at the 2019 Women's World Cup.
The U.S. women's national team has begun its Women's World Cup title defense in historic and convincing fashion–and that's an understatement.
Five goals from Alex Morgan, two goals apiece from Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle and strikes from Lindsey Horan, Megan Rapinoe, Mal Pugh and Carli Lloyd gave the Americans a record-setting 13-0 thrashing of Thailand in their opening match in Group F in France. As part of the one-sided rout, Morgan tied Michelle Akers's record for most goals in a Women's World Cup game and set the record for most assists (three), taking a huge step toward securing the golden boot after just one match.
The only other time these two sides had met was nearly three years ago, and the U.S. ran away with a 9-0 friendly victory on what was Heather O'Reilly's final international match. More of the same unfolded on the Women's World Cup stage, with the U.S. getting out to a strong start ahead of what is anticipated to be a much more difficult road.
One big change to the USA's expected lineup came in central defense, where Becky Sauerbrunn (quad) was held out with what U.S. Soccer has called "precautionary" reasons. Julie Ertz moved back into Sauerbrunn's role at center back–where she starred and emerged on the world stage four years ago–and Mewis stepped into the starting lineup in the midfield. It all certainly worked out just fine.
As expected, the early possession battle was dominated by the U.S. Thailand didn't completely pack in the defense and applied some pressure in the midfield, but the Americans found their way through pretty easily. Tobin Heath and Mewis both forced saves within the first four minutes, while Lavelle also had a blast from 18 yards that appeared to be a clean look at goal blocked before it could reach its destination.
The U.S. thought it had the lead in the sixth minute, only to have a goal disallowed. Abby Dahlkemper sent in a long cross from the right sideline, and Horan headed it across the goalmouth to Morgan, who got the final touch. Morgan was ruled to be offside on the play, though, and after a VAR check verified the call, play continued at 0-0.
OFFSIDE!
Post time: Dec-03-2019