
The US women's soccer team has defended itself after being slammed for wildly celebrating every goal in their 13-0 defeat of Thailand.

The Women's World Cup favorites thrashed the minnows in Riems, France, on Tuesday night leaving their opponents in tears and were then criticized by commentators and soccer fans for reacting to each goal as if it were their first.

Thailand was never a real threat to the U.S. national team, which plays again on Sunday against Chile. Even so, the three-time Women's World Cup champions had no desire to go easy on a lesser opponent in their opening game, leading 3-0 at the break and then breaking the match open in the second half, with the players celebrating goal after goal.

Striker Alex Morgan tied the tournament record with five goals and said after the match her team meant no disrespect but simply wanted to position themselves for a run at a second consecutive title.

'I think it's disrespectful if we don't show up and give our best and play our game for 90 minutes,' Morgan told ESPN, defending her team's performance on Tuesday. 'It's disrespectful to the Thai team. And I believe they wanted us to play them straight up.

'And for the celebrations, these are goals we have dreamt of our entire life,' she continued. 'I mean, I'm going to celebrate Mal Pugh's goal. I'm going to celebrate Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle. This is their first World Cup and I'm so proud of them. And I couldn't have dreamt of scoring five goals in a World Cup. So it's incredible for us all and I'm happy just ignoring those comments.'

U.S. coach Jill Ellis said she wondered if a similar victory in a men's World Cup would elicit the same questions.

Ellis said: 'If this is 10-0 in a men's World Cup are we getting the same questions?

'A World Cup is about competing. It is about peaking. It is about priming your players ready for the next game.

'This is a world championship, so every team here has been fantastic to get to this point. And I think that to be respectful to opponents is to play hard against opponents, and as Alex said, it's a tournament where goal differential is important.

'I don't find it my job to harness my players and rein them in because this is what they dreamt about. This is it for them. This is a world championship.'

The US women's soccer team has been slammed for celebrating every goal in their 13-0 defeat of Thailand. Pictured: Midfielder Lindsey Horan celebrates with United States' forward Megan Rapinoe

The World Cup favorites thrashed the minnows in Riems, France on Tuesday night and reacted to each goal as if it were their first. Alex Morgan (seen left with teammate Rapinoe) said her team meant no disrespect: 'We knew that every goal could matter in this group stage game... I think it was important for us to celebrate together'. Ainon Phancha (right) of Thailand cries after losing 13-0

Even the substitutes joined arms and jumped up and down with wide smiles - while Thai players were left in tears. Pictured: US player Mallory Pugh celebrates one of 13 goals

Morgan, left, comforts Thailand's Miranda Nild, right, who cried after the thrashing in Riems on Tuesday night

Emotional: Thai players embrace each other at the end of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match against the USA

Former US player Abby Wambach also supported her old teammates: 'For all that have issue with many goals: for some players this is their first World Cup goal, and they should be excited.

'Imagine it being you out there. This is your dream of playing and then scoring in a World Cup. Celebrate. Would you tell a men's team to not score or celebrate?'

Fox Sports presenter Aly Wagner added: 'It's a World Cup. You score, you celebrate. This is a dream for these players.'

Goals can be used to determine tiebreakers in group play, and team captain Megan Rapinoe said the U.S. women aren't taking any chances.

'Obviously we have the utmost respect for everyone we play, but it's the World Cup,' Rapinoe said.

Other commentators and fans on Twitter have described the jubilant celebrations as unsporting and even 'disgusting.'

The debate over sportsmanship got so heated that former Canadian team player and TSN analyst Kaylyn Kyle says she received death threats after criticizing the U.S. women.

Many fans expressed outrage over the US women's national team's goal celebrations during the 13-0 rout. However, others were quick to defend the American women, saying they would do the same thing in that situation

Many Twitter users stood up for the women's team and said that they don't get half the credit they deserve

Commentators and fans on Twitter have described the jubilant celebrations as unsporting and even 'disgusting'. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (right) used the opportunity to argue for equal pay

TSN analyst Kaylyn Kyle (pictured) says she received death threats after criticizing the U.S. women

'They're the No. 1 team in the world and for me, I'm disgusted, honestly.

'As a Canadian we would just never ever think of doing something like that ... For me it's disrespectful, it's disgraceful,' said Kyle on the Tuesday's TSN broadcast, according to the Globe and Mail.

Kyel responded to the death threats on Twitter.

'To the people sending me death threats, let me set the record STRAIGHT! I never once said to never score as many goals as you can in a World Cup!!!' she wrote. 'PLEASE WATCH FULL SEGMENT! I said the exact opposite ITS THE WORLD CUP!!! You score as many as you can and don't take the foot off the gas pedal!

'I did say I thought it was excessive and disrespectful the goal celebrations of the American team once the score hit 8-0. Everyone is allowed there (sic) opinions towards my thoughts 100% but please leave the death threats! I'm a big girl and love a good debate but there's no need for this in this already crazy world! Love you all.'

The debate over sportsmanship got so heated that former Canadian team player and current TSN analyst Kaylyn Kyle says she received death threats after criticizing the U.S. women

USA coach Jill Ellis is seen above during the Women's World Cup 2019 match between USA and Thailand. She defended her players for celebrating each goal and said she 'would not rein them in'

Another former Canadian player Clare Rustad also blasted the US team. 'I just think they could have won with some humility and grace, and they just couldn't manage to do that,' Rustad said while commentating.

'Celebrating goals later in the game like this is just completely unnecessary. What is this?'

Several fans on Twitter also made their feelings known.

'I understand running up the score for goal difference but no need to celebrate every single goal like classless jerks,' one wrote.

Another added: 'Ok settle down USA... you're up 11-0 against Thailand.'

Former American international Taylor Twellman criticized the team, believing the side's goal celebrations in Reims were excessive.

'Celebrating goals (like #9) leaves a sour taste in my mouth like many of you. Curious to see if anyone apologizes for this postgame,' Twellman tweeted to his 327,000 followers.

He was also critical of the US women for showing their hand ahead of games against more formidable opponents.

'Not sure why the #USWNT is 'wasting' any of their set plays when the score is 3-0. Bury (Thailand) then move on but don't use anything that could be needed in future games,' he wrote.

The women's team faced fierce criticism and were accused of bullying the Thai team

Some Twitter users blasted the celebrations saying that the players 'showed no sportsmanship'

Many fans came to the defense of the U.S. women's national soccer team, including senator Kirsten Gillibrand (right)

Thailand players react with despair following their 13-0 loss to the United States in their Women's World Cup

Alex Morgan (right) of USA celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal to make it 12-0

Rose Lavelle celebrates with teammates after scoring one of her two goals on the day

Rob Stone, the host of the Fox Sports World Cup coverage on American television, sided with Twellman.

'This got humiliating at some point. It just became an exercise in target practice,' he said.

'You know what I wanted to do? Pull it back, knock it around.'

Thailand's manager Nuengrutai Srathongvian said the U.S was not wrong to be goal hungry and that her team would improve after the game.

'In football, everybody is following the rules, so our opponent is trying their best. The US team was very good. We don't have any excuse and we accept that they are better,' the coach told reporters.

But many fans disagreed and said criticism of the women was sexist.

Former US international Alexi Lalas, another member of the panel, however, defended the Americans.

'It's not their problem they're playing against a poor team,' he said.

'The U.S. team is not here to be anybody's friend. The U.S. team is here to win a World Cup.

'The U.S. team each and every time the whistle blows is going to score as many goals as possible.'

The Women's World Cup kicked off on Saturday with host France beating South Korea 4-0.

The US's victory sets the record for the biggest win in the tournament's history, beating Germany's 11-0 victory over Argentina in 2007.

The US took a 3-0 lead into half-time, but things really got out of hand over the first 12 minutes of the second half as the Americans padded their lead with another four goals.

Then, as if that wasn't enough, the U.S. enjoyed a similar flurry at end the game, scoring six goals over the final 15 minutes of play.

Samantha Mewis and Rose Lavelle each added a pair of goals for the United States, which broke the record for goals and margin of victory in a World Cup game.

Lindsey Horan, Megan Rapinoe, Mallory Pugh and Carli Lloyd also scored. The previous record margin was Germany's 11-0 victory over Argentina in 2007.

Morgan tied Michelle Akers' record for World Cup goals, set in the quarterfinals against Chinese Taipei 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.'

It came close to the team's biggest rout ever. The US beat the Dominican Republic 14-0 in a 2012 Olympic qualifier in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Nattakarn Chinwong of Thailand is devastated after the humiliating defeat by the US

Players of USA celebrating their team's first goal against Thailand in the World Cup

Megan Rapinoe of USA celebrates with fans after winning the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 preliminary round match between USA and Thailand in Reims

Up next for the US is World Cup newcomer Chile on Sunday in Paris. In the final group match before the knockout round, the Americans will travel to Le Havre to face nemesis Sweden, who they've been grouped with six times in World Cup play.

All 13 goals in the US team's thrashing of Thailand 12' US 1, Thailand 0: Alex Morgan; assisted by Kelley O'Hara

Alex Morgan; assisted by Kelley O'Hara 20' US 2, Thailand 0 : Rose Lavelle; assisted by Alex Morgan

Rose Lavelle; assisted by Alex Morgan 32' US 3, Thailand 0: Lindsey Horan; assisted by Samantha Mewis

Lindsey Horan; assisted by Samantha Mewis 50' US 4, Thailand 0: Samantha Mewis; assisted by Megan Rapinoe

Samantha Mewis; assisted by Megan Rapinoe 53' US 5, Thailand 0: Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan 54' US 6, Thailand 0 : Samantha Mewis

: Samantha Mewis 56' US 7, Thailand 0: Rose Lavelle; assisted by Samantha Mewis

Rose Lavelle; assisted by Samantha Mewis 74' US 8, Thailand 0: Alex Morgan; assisted by Christen Press

Alex Morgan; assisted by Christen Press 79' US 9, Thailand 0: Megan Rapinoe; assisted by Mallory Pugh

Megan Rapinoe; assisted by Mallory Pugh 81' US 10, Thailand 0: Alex Morgan; assisted by Megan Rapinoe

Alex Morgan; assisted by Megan Rapinoe 84' US 11, Thailand 0: Mallory Pugh; assisted by Alex Morgan

Mallory Pugh; assisted by Alex Morgan 87' US 12, Thailand 0: Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan 90' US 13, Thailand 0: Carli Lloyd; assisted by Alex Morgan Advertisement

In the last meeting between the teams, Sweden ousted the United States in the quarterfinals at the 2016 Olympics.

Afterward, former US goalkeeper Hole Solo called Sweden 'cowards' for bunkering on defense.

Alyssa Naeher has since replaced Solo, who was dismissed from the team.

Sweden defeated Chile 2-0 earlier on Tuesday in Rennes, a match that featured a 40-minute weather delay.

The World Cup comes at a time when female players across the globe are seeking better treatment, conditions and pay.

The US national team has long championed equal rights, and players collectively filed a lawsuit earlier this year that alleges discrimination by the US Soccer Federation and are seeking pay equitable with that of the men's national team.

The players say the lawsuit is on hold while they're in France. But a pair of prominent well-wishers on Twitter referenced the team's pursuit of equality.

'The @USWNT is something to smile about. It was great to celebrate with them back in 2015 and I'm excited to root them on in their drive to earn their fourth star. Best of luck to these champions for equality, on and off the field,' wrote former President Barack Obama.

Tennis legend Billie Jean King weighed in: 'The pursuit of a record 4th World Cup trophy for the #USWNT officially begins today, but the journey has been years in the making. You have the support of a nation behind you. Get that win, and then get the equal pay you deserve!'

New York senator and democratic presidential candidate Kirsten Gillibrand also voiced her support for equal pay: 'Here's an idea: If you win 13-0—the most goals for a single game in World Cup history—you should be paid at least equally to the men's team.'

United States' Mallory Pugh, left, takes the ball past Thailand goalkeeper Waraporn Boonsing to score her team's 11th goal

Alex Morgan of the US celebrates scoring the tenth goal of the game