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Alex Morgan propels USWNT past Haiti for World Cup Qualifying victory

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The U.S. women’s national team opened its World Cup Qualifying cycle on Sunday in Mexico and relied on one of its all-time top goalscorers to lead the way past Haiti.

Alex Morgan scored a first-half brace for Vlatko Andonovski’s side while Margaret Purce added an insurance goal late to propel the Americans past Haiti 3-0. It was the first qualifying victory for the USWNT under Andonovski in its opening match at the 2022 Concacaf W Championship.

Morgan needed only 16 minutes to break the deadlock for the Americans, drilling a low shot past Lara Larco following a cross from Mallory Pugh. The veteran striker made her effort count after rattling the crossbar just five minutes prior.

Morgan added her second goal in quick succession, heading home a cross from fellow veteran Kelley O’Hara in the 23rd minute. It was Morgan’s fifth-straight qualifying appearance in which she scored a goal.

Roselord Borgella had a golden opportunity to cut the deficit in half for Haiti before halftime, but the forward’s penalty kick effort struck the left post. Emily Fox hauled down Nérilia Mondésir in the box, which awarded Haiti the penalty kick.

The USWNT continued to keep its foot on the gas in the dying stages of the match and Margaret Purce answered by scoring her first goal of the competition. Purce was denied a goal just moments earlier by VAR, but this time stoke home from a right-footed shot in the box.

Casey Murphy finished the match with two saves for the Americans, who next face off with Jamaica in Group A play on Thursday.

Comments

  1. I don’t think it is a youth thing. Pugh has 75 caps an is 9 months older than Kylian Mbappe. Alex Morgan was 21 at WC 2011 where she had a stellar performance and was 22 in 2012 when she became our go to striker.

    Reply
    • Maybe true with Pugh, I hope not, though with Smith I think she’s crafty and able but inexperienced at this level so up and down still. Purce seems great if faster than her matchup but she had some loose touches while on goal, you know, just like yikes kind of touches, like Pugh has been displaying. hope they can work it out

      Reply
  2. man, I’m pulling for Pugh, but wow, she doesn’t look comfy and free out there at all. Hope she gets herself right but the moment is escaping her in the area and in front of goal. US attack lacks consistent dynamism on the flanks. I think youth has something to do with it, as Smith was not like she has been recently. But the craftiness and precision at speed under pressure is lacking right now

    the best player on the field wasn’t American. It was Dumornay, and she is world class. I had only heard of her but totally get it now that I’ve seen her. She is the poop

    Reply

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