As perhaps the most famous face of the United States Women’s National Team today, Alex Morgan is one of the top forwards in the sport. Seeing the number 13 with the ponytail and pink headband couldn’t be more intimidating for opposing defenders – from the first time she announced her presence on the USWNT with a breakout goal versus Italy in 2010. She has an arsenal of skills to get past defenders, whether it being her speed, strength or touch.
Prior to her final game, Abby Wambach drummed up her best Donald Trump impersonation, including both his political xenophobia and TV-like firings. By now you know what she said. If not, listen to the podcast here.
Initial reactions criticised Wambach almost for taking any sort of position on the matter rather than the appropriateness of her comments. Wambach has never been a quiet leader. She notoriously drops the F-bomb to fire up her team.
USWNT standout Carli Lloyd was named U.S. Soccer female player of the year, for three very obvious reasons. She scored a hat trick in the Worl Cup final, but besides, that, she was the USWNT's rock all through the tournament. This is an honor she fully deserves. Here's a big reason why:
USA first goal by Carli Lloyd vs Japan in World Cup final: http://t.co/RYOocaDMCF via @YouTube
Abby Wambach's last professional soccer game is tonight. After today, Wednesday, December 16, 2015, we will never see Abby Wambach play in a soccer match that matters, barring something drastic.
She will retire the all-time leading scorer in international soccer (both men's and women's) history, with at least 184 international goals to her name.
I want to believe in the integrity of the game. I really do. I want to believe that players go out every game with the intention of winning, that managers select players with the same intention, and that referees call a fair game. Sadly I know that this is not always the case, that across the world there have been numerous confirmed instances of bribery, match-fixing, and general corrupt behavior on and off the field. But this, this is on a whole different level. You are about to watch what might be the worst referee decision ever.
Alex Morgan wasn’t even a professional player when she stepped out onto the field for the USWNT on November 20th, 2010. Her team was full of them, but she herself was still nearly three months away from being drafted by the Western New York Flash into Women’s Pro Soccer.
There are a lot of people out there that think women aren’t good at soccer, that think even the professional women playing soccer aren’t good at playing soccer. Let this clip, and Alex Morgan show them how wrong they are. It portrays nothing less than Alex Morgan’s best goal.
As if it weren’t impressive already, while everyone watching is all like...
...Alex Morgan is just smirkin’ like a fool at Alex Morgan's best goal.
Was it the greatest performance by a soccer player in a final? Yes. Carli Lloyd's hat-trick in the 2015 Women's World Cup final only took 16 minutes, and was capped off with a 50 yard boot over the Japan keepers head, giving the USWNT a commanding lead not even half way through the first half. All three goals showed off Lloyd's skill set.
The first: Lloyd streaks into the box beating her defender to the ball and executes a difficult finish with the outside of her left foot.
Very soon, Carli Lloyd wil be able to add the title "published author" to her already impressive list of accolades.
Lloyd signed a book deal with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for her memoir, set to be released later in 2016.
The book is expected to cover Lloyd's soccer career, including the time she almost quit the sport entirely.
Cristiano Ronaldo still can’t catch a break with EA Sports. Lionel Messi steals the stage yet again as the most popular poster boy for the hit soccer video game. However, the Barcelona forward’s partner on the cover continues to change. This time you may not have guessed who.
Alex Morgan, Christine Sinclair and Stephanie Catley will all share a spot the world’s best on the front of FIFA 16 in each of their respective regions. Also, for the first time, and just in time at the conclusion of the Women’s World Cup, women’s national teams will be available to use in the new game.