Zach Ertz Says Team USA World Cup Controversy is Dumb

Cover Photo: Getty Images

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz has a special connection to Team USA women's soccer, with his wife Julie Ertz playing on the team. In Team USA's first matchup, they defeated Thailand in dominating fashion, winning 13-0. This has sparked a controversy about running up the score, which the tight end says is dumb.

Ertz is absolutely correct. The outrage around USA scoring 13 goals vs. Thailand is maybe the dumbest controversy of the year.

pic.twitter.com/8ClDvEpMKj
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) June 12, 2019

Ertz is absolutely right, noting that the first tiebreaker for the group stage in the World Cup is goal differential, which Team USA should certainly now win, if they need to. Coasting to an early victory only to lose on a goal differential tiebreaker later on would be devastating for any team, so keeping their foot on the pedal was the right move.

.@alexmorgan13 scored five goals in Team USA's first game in the FIFA Women's World Cup. Watch TIME's video on how Morgan is primed to lead the U.S. to victory — on and off the field #FIFAWWC https://t.co/ZeVWMuMmI5 pic.twitter.com/P1XaHQGuQM
— TIME (@TIME) June 11, 2019

Ertz's second point of building team chemistry though success is also valid, as there often isn't much that separates these nations in terms of talent late in the tournament. It often comes down to how well players feed off each other, and if a team is having as much success as breaking records, it is probably a very happy locker for Team USA right now.

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