Alex Morgan, coach respond to Colombia star's bold comments

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1999 USWNT World Cup Champion Briana Scurry discusses how the current team is dealing with the news surrounding Hope Solo. USA TODAY Sports

United States forward Alex Morgan during training in preparation for the 2015 women's soccer World Cup.(Photo: Bruce Fedyck, USA TODAY Sports)

EDMONTON, Alberta – The United States issued a defiant response to the inflammatory claims of Colombian forward Lady Andrade that the Americans "belittle" her team heading into their Women's World Cup Round of 16 clash on Monday.

Striker Alex Morgan and head coach Jill Ellis were not flustered by Andrade's remarks, made in an interview with USA TODAY Sports, but the message was clear. The comments have been noted, stored away and will be on hand if any extra motivation is needed.

"We never started (this)," said Morgan, who is in contention to play the whole game after recovering from her long-term knee injury. "We have respected every team we have played in the World Cup so far. We want to let our actions speak on the field."

Andrade has history with the U.S. team, having delivered a brutal punch to the eye socket of Abby Wambach away from the ball during the 2012 Olympics, a match Colombia lost 3-0.

Wambach is already one of the toughest characters in the women's game so that memory, combined with Andrade's verbal jabs this week, could ensure a fiery atmosphere on the field at Commonwealth Stadium.

"You'll probably have to ask Abby," Ellis said, when asked if Andrade would come to regret riling Wambach. "But I wouldn't poke Abby."

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Ellis took issue with Andrade's choice of words and defended her team's reputation as being one that is uncompromising, but also fair and respectful.

"I think the word (used) was 'belittle'", Ellis said. "I think the thing for me is I would ask…what have we said that was belittling?

"What I know about this team is that they're classy. They like to play with their feet. I can't imagine our players acting that way. If you said to me, 'We said this', I can respond. But to say that we belittled and there is no fact behind it or comment behind it? I will address it, but I just know my players."

Colombia is an intriguing and much improved opponent. It was strong enough to beat France, one of the pre-tournament favorites, in the group stage – yet followed up with a dismal display in losing to England, costing it the chance of finishing on top of Group F.

Which Colombia shows up on Monday remains to be seen, but at their best the South Americans bring a mixture of physicality and technique that would potentially pose a tough challenge for Ellis' side.

Morgan said the U.S. is ready for a battle.

"Definitely," she said. "We just got done with playing Nigeria, they probably accumulate the most amount of fouls each game. We played Sweden as well, and Australia was a tough team too so we are set up. We have these building blocks behind us from the group stage to feel confident moving forward with another physical team.

"Obviously we are physical ourselves, but we want to play the game. Teams who disrupt that purposefully – I don't think that's proper football."

While the American defense has been outstanding so far, allowing just one goal in the group stage and having gone more than four consecutive hours of play without conceding, the forward line scored just four times in its three matches.

Only Ellis knows this for sure, but the coach might just be grateful to Andrade for lighting a fire under the U.S. team and giving it an extra spark going into a do-or-die game that it is strongly favored to win.

"Everything has to be about what is inside of us," Ellis said. "The thing that will help us in this tournament is self-belief and confidence. Do we mind (Andrade) said she is going to win? She should say she is going to win.

"Does it derail us? No."

PHOTOS: U.S. vs. Nigeria

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