The last time that the United States won the World Cup was in 1999. That year, stars Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain led Team USA to soccer immortality with a victory over China at the RoseBowl in an event that sparked interest in the sport for young girls across the nation. More than a decade later, a young Southern California product has the United States on the brink of its third World Cup.
Alex Morgan shines brightest on a team full of stars.
Since erupting onto the scene during the World Cup in 2011, Alex Morgan has become the media darling for Team USA. The dazzling striker has impressed fans with her all-world skills while her effortless charm has made her the poster girl for big sponsors like Nike. National team coach Jill Ellis showed her faith in Morgan in their biggest match of the tournament when she changed her line-up to a 4-5-1 with the striker as the lone forward against Germany. With Morgan sparking the offense, the United States avenged the mens team's loss in Brazil in defeating Germany 2-0 to set up a rematch with Japan in the final.
Amazingly, Morgan's road to the final almost never got going. Earlier this year, she suffered a bone-bruise above her left knee that sidelined her in the months prior to the World Cup. Although the injury did not cause much stir at first, things became more tense for the United States arguably until the moment when she helped the United States score against Colombia during the tournament. While Carli Lloyd and Kelley O'Hara were the names on the score sheet, it is visible that Morgan's presence on the pitch had a positive effect on the squad.
The USWNT will need her assistance when the lights shine the brightest. Thankfully, that's exactly where Morgan tends to steal the spotlight. In the epic 2011 final she provided the first goal for the U.S. while assisting Abby Wambach score her now iconic header in extra-time. In 2012, against Japan again, she assisted Carli Lloyd in the gold medal winning effort at the London Olympics.
The stage is set for Morgan's heroics once again, and with international and media attention at an all-time high she has arrived at the right place and time. Her birthday is on July second. Her country celebrates its independence on the fourth. Her team will represent the United States on the world stage on the fifth. There are many players who comprise the impressive squad. Veteran Abby Wambach has completed a full-circle of growing into a supporting role to allow the younger lineup to flourish under Ellis' direction. Carli Lloyd is in the running for the Golden Ball award in the tournament. Goalkeeper Hope Solo is a finalist for the Golden Glove, an incredible performance unfortunately shadowed by legal controversy. Sydney Leroux and Julie Johnston have gained fame for phenomenal play during the tournament.
Similar to the basketball Dream Team that took the world's imagination in 1992, the cast of characters representing the United States of America is a colorful bunch that has played phenomenally on the biggest stage. Yet as far-reaching and relatable as the stars are, the one at the forefront is Alex Morgan. Second chances rarely ever materialize so perfectly in sports, especially of matches of such magnitude as the World Cup Final. Yet here it is, and at kickoff on Sunday the world will be watching to see Morgan deliver on the promise she has shown since the world saw her emerge on the stage years ago.
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