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REIMS, France – The gap between the female elite of football and developing programs has shrunk in recent years, but in many embarrassing cases, the division remains as wide as the oceans, even in the World Cup .
The gap was total and scary Tuesday as the US national team began its quest for a second consecutive trophy with a 13-0 demolition of Thailand – the most unbalanced victory in World Cup history.
And it could have been worse.
Alex Morgan tied the program record with five goals, while Rose Lavelle and Samantha Mewis scored two goals apiece. The first-ranked Americans surpassed Argentina's 11-0 loss in 2007.
Michelle Akers is the only other American to have scored five goals in a World Cup match (in 1991).
This match has never been competitive, the United States seeking to win their fourth title and the Thais playing their fourth match of the World Cup.
Once the Americans found their pace – it did not take long – they were relentless and merciless in front of 18,591 witnesses at the Stade Auguste-Delaune.
A 3-0 lead at half time is translated by a margin of seven goals at the end of the second period. Lindsey Horan, Megan Rapinoe, Mallory Pugh and Carli Lloyd have also scored for the United States, who have won seven consecutive games, the last five without conceding a goal.
Morgan's third goal, a 17-yard shot after a clever footwork in a tight space, has surpassed the previous goal of the US team at a 7-0 World Cup against Taiwan in 1991.
Chile – a first participation that gave Sweden the lead on Tuesday before falling 2-0 – will prepare for the United States Sunday in Paris. An American victory would guarantee the passage to the round of 16.
Tuesday's game, which started late (21 hours local) gave ample time to thousands of American fans, of all ages, to explore the charming city center of Reims. Adorned with jerseys and patriotic clothing, they gathered at Drouet-d'Orlon, a pedestrian street lined with breweries and cafes.
A short walk led visitors to Reims Cathedral, where, on many summer nights, a spectacular light show was projected on the thirteenth-century structure.
At the approach of the match, the ticket holders crossed the small bridges crossing the Aisne to the Marne and came down to the stadium, which houses a French men's club first rank.
The vast majority of the crowd supported them, but the Americans took the start with all the expected players, with the exception of one: central defender Becky Sauerbrunn was retained for precautionary reasons in because of what team officials have described as a slight injury to the quadriceps.
She is in the running to start Sunday at the Parc des Princes.
In the absence of Sauerbrunn, defensive midfielder Julie Ertz regained her former position and teamed up with Abby Dahlemper. Ertz's place was occupied by Mewis, who had the chance to start sometimes in this tournament.
Dahlkemper and Mewis were among the six American beginners who made their World Cup debut, although given their many services, there was no fear of nervousness.
With a pronounced size advantage, the United States showed at kickoff that they would throw the players forward. Looking more like an NFL team than a football unit, seven players left the center.
Thailand defended itself admirably for a dozen minutes (a Morgan goal was also canceled as it was offside) before yielding to pressure.
The center of Rapinoe's bottom line was redirected to Kelley O 'Hara at the top of the box. The right-back has overtaken a player before giving Morgan a center in a pocket between two defenders.
Without any pressure, Morgan inclined a head in the left corner.
Eight minutes passed before the next goal, a game that started in the United States and ended with a remote strike.
O Hara threw a long ball to Morgan, who assaulted her to return to the goal and left a pass to Lavelle for a 23-yard left-foot goal that escaped goalkeeper Sukanya Chor Charoenying.
Horan came on the scene in the 32nd minute. After suffering a foul at the edge of the penalty area, Tobin Heath managed a free kick to the edge of the penalty area. Mewis could not control it, but the carom had returned to Horan for an easy finish at the top of the net.
Thailand possessed two important possessions with the aim of attacking, which did not threaten Alyssa Naeher. At the other end, blocked shots and ignored pleas for shots on goal keep the score respectable.
The Americans needed less than five minutes from the second half to increase their lead. Rapinoe prepared Mewis for a terrible 17-yard shot that swept a defender.
The dam had begun. In the space of three minutes, Morgan got up from the door, Mewis repelled Lavelle's deflected shot and Lavelle scored a goal for 11 yards.
Heath and Lavelle gave way to Lloyd and Christen Press. If she could, Ellis would have replaced his entire team. But with only three changes allowed – and the entry of two world-class attackers – the pressure will not go away.
Morgan completed the hat trick, Rapinoe scored in transition on a Pugh pass, Morgan scored two more and Lloyd added one.
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