After netting an astonishing 16 goals during their first two World Cup games, the United States Women’s Soccer team already looks as if they could give their World Cup winning team from four years ago a good run for their money. The team scored a record–setting 13 goals during their first match, and then followed up with a proficient 3–0 victory against Chile days later. With the United States team displaying consistent excellence both offensively and defensively, very few squads poise to really make the defending champs sweat during this tournament. Sweden stood as perhaps the team with the greatest potential to fill that role however, as they knocked out the United States during the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Despite Sweden’s ability to challenge the United States unlike their prior opponents, the reigning world cup champions added another win, defeating Sweden with a 2–0 score. Lindsey Horan found the net early, scoring during the game’s third minute after a Megan Rapinoe corner kick. So far, Horan’s goal maintains this tournament’s record for the fastest goal scored. Responding from their early deficit, Sweden applied almost constant pressure throughout the contest, lead by Sofia Jakobsson, who drew the most attention from the USA’s defense.

Effective defense from both squads kept the game goalless once more all the way toward the second half’s inaugural minute, as the United States eventually doubled their lead after a review ruled an own goal on Joanna Andersson‘s behalf. The goal brought the team’s total up to 18, setting a record for most goals by a single team in the World Cup’s group stage. Protecting their lead until the final horn, the United States gifted zero goals to their Swiss opponents, continuing their shutout play as the team remains unscored upon thus far during the tournament.

“It’s a good performance and we wanted to continue to build momentum…It was a rival game and I thought the players showed a great mentality,” stated proud head coach Jill Ellis once the dust settled. Tobin Heath, who ran with the team’s front attack during the match, commented after the game too as she stated, “It’s huge and a big part of what we’re trying to do both offensively and defensively. We talk about the idea of 360-degree defending where everyone is defending.”

Spain awaits the United States now, poising to potentially become the next squad victimized by the United States’ record breaking offensive capabilities. The match will begin at 12 p.m. ETS this Monday, June 24.

Picking up right where they left off, the United States Women’s soccer team punished yet another goaltender on Tuesday afternoon in France.

This time, however, the occasion’s unfortunate victim hailed from Thailand, as the reigning World Cup champions found the net time after time during their inaugural match. Alex Morgan’s introductory goal just 12 minutes into the contest only ignited an engulfing flame, which the Thailand Women’s national team failed miserably to put out, as Morgan followed up with a whopping four goals while her teammates added another seven goals. Once the dust settled, the scoreboard flashed a 13–0 score, breaking a record for the largest winning margin and most total goals scored during a World Cup match.

Alongside their monstrous victory, the defending champs now carry some extra baggage, however, which unfortunately poises to weigh them down, as the team continues to draw criticism due to a growing belief that they intentionally “ran up the scoreboard” on their clearly defeated opponents en route to their victory. Most comments denouncing the team’s actions came once their goal total reached double digits, as manly verbally attacked players due to extravagant post–goal celebrations. The team eventually lost the support of some reporters such as Jeff Paterson who tweeted out, “the goal celebrations of #USWNT at 9-0, 10-0, 11-0 are so overboard. Why are they even trying to score anymore. I’m on #teamthailand at this point.” While goals piled up, reporters continued to join Paterson, with multiple figures surrounding the sport condemning the team’s behavior.

As she did on the field for years, former team member Abby Wambach came to the squad’s defense, tweeting out a response illustrating the intoxicating excitement the World Cup brings and each player’s right to enjoy the moment.

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Head coach Jill Ellis later neglected to admit any disrespect shown toward Thailand during a press conference. Ellis commented on the affair as she stated, “A lot of this is about building momentum and so as a coach I don’t find it my job to rein my players in. This is what they’ve dreamt about. I respect Thailand, I spoke to some of them afterward and they should keep their heads up. This is part of the growth of the game.”

The United States sits ready to face off against Chile during their next match this upcoming Sunday at 12 p.m. EST. While the team’s on–field talent certainly poises to draw attention, the squad will draw further eyes now, as their behavior surrounding their success now generates noticeable attention as well.