Alex Morgan Is Plays Like A Veteran

 

On November 20th, 2010, Alex Morgan scored an injury time winner against Italy in the first leg of the USWNT World Cup playoff match to give the U.S. the critical away goal, and a 1-0 lead going home.
Quickly becoming the scorer of vital goals (her first against China ensured the USWNT’s undefeated home record), she’s the youngest player on the current USWNT squad.
Deadly in front of goal and possessing all the skills needed to become a top class striker, Alex is a charming and incredibly humble young woman.
Alex was gracious enough to take some time away from her studies (finishing up at UC Berkeley) to talk to us.

Here is an excerpt of what we talked about.
TSG: So at the beginning of this year which did you think was more unlikely: You scoring a critical goal in a must-win series for the USWNT or merely playing for the USWNT?
Alex Morgan: Well scoring the critical goal was more unlikely. I was surprised to even get called in from Pia to come into the camp, which was just an honor for me. Once I made the qualifying roster, from then on I was just enjoying the ride, and accepting my role on the team. So scoring the critical goal was definitely more unlikely.

TSG: Typically qualification for any major tournament is a cakewalk for the USWNT, but this time you guys had to play in a playoff to qualify. What was the mood like in the squad before the first and second legs?
AM: We were pretty fired up as this had never happened before. We were really disappointed after the Mexico game in Cancun. We got a few days to clear our thoughts and we came back and were super focused and ready to take on Italy in both games. I’m glad we showed up for both games as it showed we really wanted it, especially when we scored in the 94th minute in the first game.

Alex Morgan being mobbed by teammates.

TSG: You’re USA’s youngest player, and in only 8 appearances have scored 4 goals. Abby Wambach said that your 94th minute winner against Italy was one of the “top-five most important goals in U.S. History.” How did it feel giving your National Team a huge boost going into the second leg?
AM: It wasn’t just me, it was a whole team effort. We were going hard until the last whistle blew. For Abby to say that is a real honor, as she is a close friend on the team. So that was amazing to hear that from her. Just for us to be up a goal in Italy gave us a chance to relax and to have the upper hand going into the second leg.

TSG: Can you describe the play that led to the goal. How did you remain so composed?
AM: Well, Pia told Abby and I to stay up. We were a little stretched out, but we got a throw in in our defensive third and Carli [Lloyd] got the ball and turned it. I knew by her body language that it was going to be a long ball, and I knew it was going to Abby. Most long balls over the top are looking for Abby to run onto them. So Carli gave a great long ball and Abby was in the perfect position to flick it on, and I tried to position myself to cut off the defender and the ball came straight to my feet, and luckily I was composed enough to put it away.

TSG: LUCKILY! You seemed pretty composed.
AM: At the international level you really only get a few chances, so I really try and stay composed in front of goal. I had a pretty poor shot right after I came in, so that was my bad shot that I got out of the way. So once I got that ball from Abby, I really tried to stay composed and put it in the corner.