Jason Smith and Mike Harmon can understand the sportsmanship behind the "USWNT should have backed off Thailand" take but the first tie-breaker is goal-differential and everyone else gets to play Thailand in USA's group. Those teams will certainly try to roll up the goals for the same reason. This is the World Cup! It's not a friendly. It's the biggest tournament in the world that many players get one shot at so they have to ensure as long a trip as possible!