Alex Morgan names biggest rivals for USWNT at 2023 FIFA World Cup, also reveals what led to their ‘huge mentality shift’
The Lionesses and the Americans are no strangers on the big stage.
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Alex Morgan (MSNBC News)
According to reports Alex Morgan, a veteran of the USA’s two most recent World Cup winning teams was asked to pick the teams she feels pose the biggest threat she replied, “I think the Euro champs, England, are a team to be watching for.“
The Lionesses and the Americans are no strangers on the big stage. The last time they met at the World Cup, it was the 2019 semi-final in Lyon. The US won against England thanks to the headed goals from Alex Morgan and Christen Press, and a penalty save from Alyssa Naeher.
Their most recent meeting also ended 2-1, this time in England’s favor, in front of a record crowd at Wembley last October. Morgan wasn’t at Wembley, but she has been watching England’s rise.
Morgan said, “I think they’ve come a long way in the last couple of years, and I think that’s a credit to a lot of things. Number one, their domestic league, which has just gotten so much better and so much more competitive in the last five years. Their federation’s increased focus on their women’s program I don’t think existed more than five years ago, bringing in the best and most qualified coaches, and making sure that their players are compensated fairly.“
The 33-year-old also added, “I think that they’ve fought and have achieved close to equal pay and working conditions. I think also their mentality has shifted. When they came close … in the 2019 World Cup, and then winning the Euros, I think there was a huge mentality shift for them.”
Alex Morgan, Sophia Smith and the race for the NWAL top scorers 2023
In 2022 this award was claimed by USWNT star Alex Morgan but who will win it in 2023? The race is once again on for the NWSL Golden Boot, Alex Morgan picked up the accolade last season for the first time in her illustrious career, closely followed by USWNT team-mate Sophia Smith, who has started the 2023 season in red-hot form. It looks like the pair will battle it again at the top of the scoring charts, but who else will be up there?
- 1. Sophia Smith | Portland Thorns | four goals: Sophia Smith has started the season in fine form. The USWNT forward might have finished second in the Golden Boot race last year.
- 2. Alex Morgan | San Diego Wave | four goals: Recipient of this award is 2022, Alex Morgan has started her defense of the Golden Boot strongly and will hope that her goals can help the San Diego Wave improve on last year’s run to the play-off semi-finals.
- 3. Debinha | Kansas City Current | four goals: No off-season move caught the eye more than Debinha’s switch from the North Carolina Courage to the Kansas City Current and the Brazil international is already showing her world-class qualities in her new environment.
- 4. Crystal Dunn | Portland Thorns | four goals: For the USWNT, Crystal Dunn is often a full-back. For the Portland Thorns, she’s a midfielder – and a very prolific one at that. Dunn won the Golden Boot back in 2015, the same year she was named the league’s MVP.
- 5. Ashley Hatch | Washington Spirit | four goals: Winner of the Golden Boot in 2021, Ashley Hatch’s goals were crucial that year in helping the Washington Spirit to a first-ever NWSL Championship. After a disappointing 2022 campaign, the Spirit looks likely to have a better season this time around, with Hatch’s form in front of goal just one of the reasons why.
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Arpan Ghosh
(1403 Articles Published)