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Monterrey, Mexico (AP) —Veteran forward Alex Morgan is playing a louder role as the US national team is focused on developing young talent in anticipation of next summer’s World Cup.
Morgan, 33, is currently one of the senior members of the team and has welcomed up-and-coming players such as fellow forwards Sophia Smith, Mallory Pugh and Trinity Rodman since the Tokyo Olympics.
“Young players can keep themselves. They’ve done great things. I’m sure I’ve increased this tournament with player positioning, set pieces and this team proud. I think it’s something to do aloud in the field, such as being, mentality, helping to push players, just a little bit, “she said.
Morgan and the Defending World Cup Champion are in Mexico preparing for a showdown with rival Canada in the CONCACAF W Championship title game on Monday night.
The United States and Canada have already qualified as top tournament winners at the World Cup next summer in Australia and New Zealand. However, the winner of the final will also win one of the berths in the region at the 2024 Olympic Games in France.
Morgan has never slowed, as evidenced by her wonderful club season so far. She returned to California, where she played for the San Diego Wave expansion and is currently leading the National Women’s Soccer League with 11 goals in just 10 games.
In the W Championship Morgan scored two goals against Haiti on the group stage, Her 29th career multi-goal game. She scored 21 goals in 22 qualifying matches against the United States, the third highest in her team’s history. Overall, she has 117 goals and 47 assists in 195 career games.
“Alex has World Cup medals and Olympic medals. Current US coach Vratko Andnovsky said,” She clearly has a very good victory. ” She can win or win big tournaments. “
After introducing a new face to the team and adopting Andnovsky’s tactical approach tailored to each opponent, Morgan said the team is gaining momentum and doing a better job of reading the field. ..
“But we also need to understand what the coach has given us. We all have to agree. One or two players do what they need to do. You can’t avoid it. If you play with a particular structure, the whole flow of the game. I think it’s important to know — it’s free to play, but you know your role, And that will change from game to game. “
Morgan is one of the most famous and popular players on the team. In Mexico, she was greeted with great cheers. Among her worshipers was the name Luka, two years old. The mom posted a video of a toddler screaming her name.
Morgan watched the video and sent Luka an autographed jersey. Later, Luka met his favorite player following a match against Haiti.
But in those moving moments, there is work to be done. Canada is increasingly challenging the United States on the international stage.
Canada won the gold medal at the Tokyo OlympicsAfter defeating the world’s top-ranked US team 1-0 in the semi-finals, they defeated Sweden in the final with a penalty. The United States won the bronze medal. The United States then acknowledged it as an honor, acknowledging that it did not meet the team’s standards.
“That is, rivalry has definitely been hot over the last few years, so it’s going to be a great game, but it’s not really looking back, it’s looking forward to it,” Morgan said. “At the same time, look at this team. There are a lot of girls who weren’t there last year, so this punches the ticket to the Olympics and ranks first in ourselves and in the world, why we are number one. Prove that it has been done. “
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