via ./FIFA
- The US women’s national team beat Thailand 13-0 in their opening match of the World Cup.
- After the match, Alex Morgan, who scored five goals, was seen comforting Thailand’s Miranda Nild.
- Nild and Morgan both attended the University of California, Berkeley.
- Follow all of our Women’s World Cup coverage here.
- Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories.
The US women’s national team got off to a rousing start at the 2019 World Cup, beating Thailand 13-0 in a game they dominated from start to finish.
Alex Morgan led the way, scoring five goals. Afterward, she showed some good sportsmanship when she comforted an upset player on the Thailand team.
As the two sides shook hands after the match, Morgan was seen hugging Thailand’s Miranda Nild, appearing to offer some words of encouragement as Nild got choked up.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl, Morgan knows Nild, who, like Morgan, attended the University of California, Berkeley.
“I just met her in the hallway, so it’s already friendly,” Morgan told Wahl. “I introduced myself to her. I was the proactive one, so I already have the edge on that. I’m really excited to see some fellow Cal Bears … For Miranda, it’s just such a great opportunity. She’s a player that’s shown really well with the Thai team.”
During and after the match, there was some debate as to whether Team USA should have relented to keep from running up the score. After the match, many of .’s analysts agreed that it is more disrespectful to an opponent to stop trying.
The US is set to play Chile next and Thailand faces Sweden.
- Read more:
- Tobin Heath’s nutmeg was the highlight of Team USA’s dominant Women’s World Cup opener
- Why the best women’s soccer player in the world won’t be at the World Cup
- Women’s World Cup Power Ranking: Where all 24 teams stand at the start of the tournament
- Everything you need to know about Team USA
