Former Canadian international Kaylyn Kyle says she has received death threats for her TV criticism of the U.S. team for excessive goal celebrations in a 13-0 rout of 34th-ranked Thailand at the WomenB次元官网网址檚 World Cup in France.

It was the largest margin of victory in tournament history. And the top-ranked Americans did not hold back on the celebrations as they began defence of their World Cup crown.

After making it 9-0 in the 79th minute Tuesday night in Reims, captain Megan Rapinoe held her arms out like airplane wings, twirled and then slid on the ground, kicking her leg into the air repeatedly before continuing the celebration with the American bench.

B次元官网网址淥bviously we have the utmost respect for everyone we play, but itB次元官网网址檚 the World Cup,B次元官网网址� Rapinoe said later.

The lopsided result prompted debate over both running up the score B次元官网网址� goal difference can be crucial in the group stage of a tournament B次元官网网址� and the American celebrations as the score mounted.

Kyle, an analyst in TSN for the tournament, was one of those not impressed by the unbridled American jubilation after goals.

B次元官网网址淎s a Canadian, we would just never ever think of doing something like that B次元官网网址� For me itB次元官网网址檚 disrespectful, itB次元官网网址檚 disgraceful,B次元官网网址� Kyle, who retired in 2017 after winning 101 caps, said on air. B次元官网网址淗ats off to Thailand for holding their head high.B次元官网网址�

Kyle subsequently said on social media that her comments had prompted death threats.

B次元官网网址淭o the people sending me death threats, let me set the record STRAIGHT!,B次元官网网址� she wrote on her verified Twitter account. B次元官网网址淚 never once said to never score as many goals as you can in a World Cup!!! PLEASE WATCH FULL SEGMENT! I said the exact opposite. ITB次元官网网址橲 THE WORLD CUP. You score as many as you can and donB次元官网网址檛 take the foot off the gas pedal!

B次元官网网址淚 did say I thought it was excessive and disrespectful the goal celebrations of the American team once the score hit 8-0. Everyone is allowed their opinions towards my thoughts 100% but please leave the death threats!B次元官网网址�

Kyle said the tweet would be her last comment on the issue.

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Seven different players scored for the Americans, tying Germany for the most in a World Cup match. Alex MorganB次元官网网址檚 five goals tied her with fellow American Michelle Akers for most goals in a single World Cup match.

Asked about the lopsided score, U.S. coach Jill Ellis wondered if a 10-0 victory in a menB次元官网网址檚 World Cup would prompt the same questions.

B次元官网网址淭his is a world championship, so every team here has been fantastic to get to this point. And I think that to be respectful to opponents is to play hard against opponents, and as Alex said, itB次元官网网址檚 a tournament where goal differential is important,B次元官网网址� Ellis said.

Added Morgan. B次元官网网址淓very goal matters in this tournament and thatB次元官网网址檚 what we were working on.B次元官网网址�

Former U.S. international Abby Wambach, whose world goal-scoring record is being chased by Canadian captain Christine Sinclair, also defended the scoreline.

B次元官网网址淔or all that have issue with many goals: for some players this is there first World Cup goal, and they should be excited. Imagine it being you out there. This is your dream of playing and then scoring in a World Cup. Celebrate. Would you tell a menB次元官网网址檚 team to not score or celebrate?B次元官网网址� she tweeted.

USA Today columnist Nancy Armour also had no time for the critics.

B次元官网网址淵ou want the Americans to impose the slaughter rule or patronize their opponents by pretending they didnB次元官网网址檛 just tack another goal onto the scoreline? Go join the 6-year-olds in the park,B次元官网网址� she wrote. B次元官网网址淢aybe youB次元官网网址檒l get a participation trophy and an orange slice while youB次元官网网址檙e at it.

B次元官网网址淭his is high-level competition, and the Americans have no reason to apologize for treating it as such.B次元官网网址�

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press

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