English Angered by US Star Alex Morgan's Mocking Goal Celebration
When the U.S. women’s soccer team defeated Thailand 13-0 in its first World Cup game and celebrated every one of those goals, many thought it was poor sportsmanship.
The competition has gotten tougher in the tournament and the number of goals has gone down, but the celebrations have continued — and they are still bringing criticism.
Alex Morgan scored the go-ahead goal in the Team USA’s semifinal win over England on Tuesday — and then celebrated by mocking the English tradition of sipping tea.
Here for Alex Morgan’s sipping tea celebration ? pic.twitter.com/vUOhJolHJ4
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) July 2, 2019
That didn’t sit well with many English fans, who said it was classless and distasteful.
America, supposedly our biggest Allie, for her to do this, to belittle England in that way, shows zero class. Poor @alexmorgan13 Poor. Shame as such a top, top player.
— Jody Bowman (@JodyBowman14) July 2, 2019
What an onerous bunch the US women’s team are. @alexmorgan13
— Neil ?? (@NeilH1968) July 2, 2019
Along with Thailand this makes the team incredibly unlikeable.
Football as a sport lives from respect. They will win this competition but nevertheless lose.— Leslie Philibert (@PhilibertLeslie) July 3, 2019
English soccer star Lianne Sanderson said, “You can celebrate however you want, but that for me is a bit distasteful, and I don’t think she needs to do that.”
☕ @liannesanderson calls Alex Morgan’s tea sipping celebration “distasteful.”
? Live now on HD11#beINWWC #beINSPIRED19 #ENGUSA #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/dwvowkcdK6
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 2, 2019
British broadcaster Piers Morgan sent out a tweet during halftime of the game imploring the English team, also known as the Lionesses, to shut up “these cocky yanks.”
Come on @Lionesses – make these cocky yanks choke on it. pic.twitter.com/lOybEhNRGT
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 2, 2019
He also proposed a celebration for the English women to mock America “when we win this”:
When we win this, I hope every one of our players feigns eating a Big Mac and large fries. https://t.co/nNbZ6QI1mW
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 2, 2019
Morgan has every right to support his team and call out the opposition, but doing so opened the floodgates for brutal responses:
— Claire Voltaire (@Claire_Voltaire) July 2, 2019
They Brexited the field like champs.
— Pat Doyle (@txoffender) July 2, 2019
You seem a bit constipated sir ????? pic.twitter.com/J9UcMZhPe8
— TheHouseOfSussex_FB (@HouseOfSussexFB) July 2, 2019
After the game was over with the U.S. women advancing to the World Cup Final, Morgan conceded defeat and offered his congratulations.
“All over. Beaten by the better team,” he tweeted. “Good effort @Lionesses but sadly not good enough. Well played USA.”
Morgan also wrote a column Wednesday in which he said, “The uncomfortable truth for everyone back in England today is that Morgan and her teammates were just too good for us. So, admittedly with great reluctance, I must dig deep into my rarely tapped reservoir of good grace, and acknowledge this unpalatable fact.
“I will also raise my own little pinky finger to toast America’s victory and wish them good luck for the final on Sunday, which I confidently predict they will win. And when they do, I’ll have a nice cup of tea to help me get over it.”
*NEW: Cocky, taunting prima donnas – but these USA women soccer players are also natural-born winners who walk the talk.
The tea’s on me, ladies. ?https://t.co/eW6PnuxrnR pic.twitter.com/SdwKR7o48f— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 3, 2019
England’s World Cup isn’t over just yet. They have the third-place game Saturday and with a win will match their finish from the 2015 Cup.
The U.S. women can also match their finish from the last World Cup by winning Sunday’s Final. This marks the third straight Final that the USWNT has reached, which is the longest streak in Women’s World Cup history.
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