Bad Words Make a Play in the Women’s World Cup

• Wildcard
• June 25, 2015
• by Meaghan Poulin

It seems no one these days can resist using “bad words,” especially on an international stage like the Women’s World Cup. Quite a few barbs have been thrown at the United States Women’s National Team. We hope it’s not because we still don’t call it fútbol.

Here’s a breakdown of the “bad words” used by the US team’s opponents.

Australia

Posted to the Australian soccer federation website after a 3-1 loss to the United States, the Matildas had some choice words for the US team. “The USA, well, they just aren’t that good…The US certainly like to talk a good game…World football has moved, in case Jill Ellis [US Coach] hasn’t noticed.” The post went on to say, “US were outplayed by a better, smarter footballing side…” Did we miss something here?

Colombia

Some background: Remember the last time the United States and Colombia played on the international stage in 2012? A Colombian player, Lady Andrade, punched Abby Wambach in the face during a match at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. We’re surprised Wambach remembers. Her attacker, Andrade, however feels little remorse. The Colombian player  recently said, “I hit her, what else can I say?” 

In an interview with USA Today, Andrade continued, “They belittle us,” and went on to say “we’re going to beat them since they like to talk so much.” Adding fuel to the fire, Colombia’s Yoreli Rincon backed up Andrade’s comments, stating “they don’t have the heart that we Colombians have,” commenting, “They’re going to have to fight us tomorrow.”

Despite the Colombian team’s assertion that the US can’t let the 2012 incident go, the US team had been relatively quiet until prodded by the media. Amid a flurry of positive statements from the US, Megan Rapione put it best. “We definitely respect them as an opponent,” adding further, “In a way, I get it. They are an up-and-coming team and feel like they haven’t gotten the respect they think they deserve and they’re striving for. If that’s what is going to fire them up, that’s great. For us, we don’t need any extra motivation. This is the knockout round.”

Former US Coach Pia Sundhage

This is perhaps the most surprising development in the “bad words” review of the FIFA tournament. Former US Coach Pia Sundhage, now the head coach of the Swedish national team, had some choice words about her former players whom she led to the 2011 World Cup Final and two Olympic gold medals.

In an interview with The New York Times, Sundhage offered her opinion regarding the Americans. “Carli Lloyd was a challenge to coach, by the way,” her further comments insinuating that Lloyd was emotional and temperamental. Sundhage also mentioned that Hope Solo was difficult to coach. And if Abby Wambach was still on her roster, she would be benched as a sub. Was she trying to get in the Americans’ heads before their match with Sweden? Regardless, it was in poor taste.

Looking Ahead

Despite the harsh words, the United States remains undefeated, only conceding one goal throughout the entire tournament. Friday’s game against China will be the first World Cup matchup between the two countries since this moment when the US team became the 1999 World Cup Champions after a penalty shootout.Good luck ladies!