U.S. cartwheels: Good fun or bad sportsmanship?

Scott Heppell/AP Photo

The U.S. women's soccer team has revealed that gold medallist Gabby Douglas was the inspiration behind their cartwheeling goal celebration.

"Before the game we were talking about what we could do for a celebration, and I was like 'cartwheels for everybody'," said Abby Wambach who scored in the 27th minute, sparking the eye-catching routine.

"We obviously don't do it quite as well," she added.

The New Zealand coach didn't sound too impressed. "I wouldn't like it if our team did that, when teams concede and they're disappointed and they want to get on with the game," Tony Readings said.

"But it's obviously something the Americans do... It's something I guess they work on in training."

The Americans don't think they're rubbing anyone the wrong way.

"I'm not a psychologist," said U.S. coach Pia Sundhage. "We score goals, and you're happy. What the players want to do, whatever they do, it has to be fun. If they come up with ideas, that's perfectly fine."

The Associated Press