The USWNT and Their "Arrogance"
Were the USWNT doing too much with their celebrations and attitude throughout the World Cup? Don’t be so sure. This could be biased, but I think many would agree that the level of celebrations was justified from the women’s side. It’s hard to find a great coach that will tell you to ease up when you get up big. Personally, I’ve always been taught the opposite. When up big, keep going. If you stop playing, you are essentially mocking the players by exerting no effort in front of a crowd likely filled with friends and family. It is often portrayed as rubbing it in if you keep piling onto your lead, but I’d argue otherwise. By continuing to take the opposition seriously, you are showing them a sign of respect, as they might fight their way back into a match or game if you lose focus and give in after a big lead.
The USWNT team came under extreme scrutiny after they beat Thailand 13-0 in the World Cup opener and celebrated every goal accordingly. Admittedly, they looked like they could brush up on their celebrations, but they celebrated every goal as if it would be there last. Many pundits stated it was unsportsmanlike, or unfair, but are they forgetting this is a World Cup? This isn’t an intramural team playing for fun to get away from classes, this is the world’s biggest stage, a chance to shine once again for your country, and in this case, the USA. Plus, who doesn’t like a good celebration, especially one that pokes a bit of fun at the opponent. Maybe Alex Morgan just wanted a sip of tea to hydrate. Although they shouldn’t have to, the women continue to fight for equal pay and respect and winning the World Cup will sure help. There was so much at stake for our USWNT, and one of those happened to be goal difference, to secure an easier draw as top of the group. Why should our team take pity on another? Everybody in this competition is a grown up, and disappointment is part of the game.
Even Phil Neville, head coach of the Lionesses, called out our “arrogance” when we were scoping out the hotel that we would stay at should we have won the semi-final matchup against his side. To counter those claims, head coach Jill Ellis said “That’s planning and preparation for our staff. So I think that’s pretty normal.”
From a stylistic perspective, you can look at each game and say that the way USA played was hardly a sign of arrogance. The first game, there was just to big of a gap between the two sides to mask the so-called arrogance. The remaining games, they often jumped out into an early lead, and then proceeded to manage the score from there, maybe giving up a goal, but never letting it get out of hand. They rarely controlled possession, weren’t playing overly flashy with flicks and tricks, they just got the job done and completed their objective.
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Looking at three consecutive 2-1 scores would be hard to relate to an arrogance by the winning side. Caution would be the more appropriate word.
Bottom line, the fact that this was the World Cup should quell those remaining voices saying that the USWNT were being disrespectful in the way they went about their business throughout the tournament. Let the women enjoy it!
