USA sets confident mentality after first match against Thailand
Morgan ties Michelle Akers’ World Cup record for goals in a game
Morgan hoping to be the Hamm of 2019
Twenty years on from the fabled '99ers' and the USWNT are continuing to pave the way on and off the soccer pitch.
Tying Michelle Akers’ World Cup record for goals in a match with five, Alex Morgan kicked off the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ on a high note in the USA's record 13-0 win in their opening match against Thailand.
“When you go into a World Cup you can talk tactics and all of that, but it's about mentality, it's also about confidence,” USA coach Jill Ellis said after her side's relentless performance. “So, getting off on the right foot is important. But the reality is that we also agreed we’ve got more to do, we need to stay humble and we need to get back to work.”
France 2019: USA 13-0 Thailand
A confident Morgan is exactly what the U.S. team wanted going into this tournament. When the forward gets on a hot streak, she becomes extremely dangerous in front of the net, as do those around her. In addition to Morgan’s goal’s on Tuesday, six more of her teammates netted for the U.S., with Morgan assisting three of the goals.
The No13 says she is feeling in "peak form" right now.
“I feel like I’m at the top of my game going into the most important tournament of my career.” Morgan told the press prior to their opening match against Thailand at the World Cup.
The goal-scoring mentality, leadership qualities and overall attention that Morgan has brought to women’s soccer has drawn many comparisons to two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner, Mia Hamm.
“I’m very honored to be compared to Mia Hamm. She's the ultimate G.O.A.T. in women’s soccer,” Morgan said. "But I’m just trying to do my part on this team and I think I’ve been able to have opportunities outside of soccer because of my play on the field.”
Like Hamm, Morgan is an advocate for much more than just the game of soccer. She is a role model to young girls and women all over the world, much like Hamm was to this current U.S. squad.
“My relationship with Mia is really good. She’s someone who I definitely look to for advice sometimes and she’s someone who has really helped this team,” Morgan said. “All of us look at these '99ers' and the fact that they paved the way so much and we are so grateful for what they did in the sport for us, and now it’s up to us to continue to pave that way and give even more opportunities to that next generation.”