This was a "world cup" match.

I'm talking as a former soccer coach.

No...you don't "ease up" if you're ahead. You put in 2nd and 3rd string to test your depth.

This was "the best of the best of each nation"....

Shame on Thailand...a former well known soccer-obsessed nation

For putting up such a defenseless team; or for playing "defeatist" Soccer.

The U.S. players in then were 2nd and 3rd string...so, no...you don't "let up" and play soft in a championship match. This was a chance for players who are rarely put in to "show their stuff"....so of course the 2nd and 3rd string women played hard.

This is a tribute to our depth of field. This is a harbinger of Women's soccer; watch out, World. We're tough...and deep.

Here's a clip of the Thailand women's soccer team warming up. They'll be back; they could easily beat most American men teams.

[foxsports.com]