While many sang Happy Birthday to America on Thursday, millions were celebrating a different birthday two days before. On Tuesday, July 2nd, the U.S. squared up against England in the Women’s World Cup for a 90-minute nail-biter, and it was Alex Morgan whose wishes came true.
The star player turned 30 on the day of the match, and if being at the World Cup wasn’t enough, Morgan even scored the winning goal. She is now in the lead for the Golden Boot, given to the top scorer at the end of the tournament. She and Rapinoe had been neck-and-neck with goals and assists, but the latter sat out last game due to a hamstring injury. We are hoping she can recover before the Cup final on Sunday.
Despite Morgan’s birthday goal, all eyes were on U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher that night. With just six minutes left in regulation, the U.S. was up 2-1 when England earned themselves a penalty kick. Ellen White stepped up to take it, tied with Alex Morgan for the most goals in the Cup. If she scored, the game would likely have moved into overtime. Instead, Naeher guessed correctly and saved the penalty kick, keeping the U.S. in the lead and sending them to the finals.
It may come as no surprise that the U.S. Women’s Soccer team is still dominating in this summer’s World Cup. Last week they faced France in perhaps the most anticipated match of this Cup and came out on top. They have scored at least one goal within the first 12 minutes of every game in this tournament so far and have never lost in the World Cup when scoring first. Not only that, but the U.S. have never lost when Morgan has scored in a game.
The U.S. are now looking for their fourth title, which would make them the first nation to win back-to-back Cups since Germany (2003, 2007). With only one game standing between them and the trophy, the question remains; is there anyone that can stop this red, white, and blue powerhouse?
Image Courtesy of Leonard Zhukovsky (Shutterstock)