Alex Morgan’s late header at Old Trafford staved off Olympic elimination and forces a rematch against Japan in the final. Really, it’s just Alex being Alex.
It’ll never get boring, but Alex Morgan’s dramatic game-winning goal against Canada has become a familiar sight. (Watch it again here.)
It’s far too early to ponder her potential legacy, but the 23-year-old has already built up a marvelous reputation. She rescued her team from an undesirable outcome (in this case, penalty kicks), just like she has time and time again. Her propensity for late heroics is what initially endeared her to the USWNT faithful.
Before the world knew her as ‘Baby Horse’, she was known as something else: clutch.
In October 2010 against China, the U.S. came perilously close to losing its first domestic friendly since 2004. Who subbed in and scored the dramatic equalizer? Alex Morgan. A month later the team looked hopeless against Italy in a World Cup qualifying play-off. (That’s right; the U.S. nearly failed to qualify for the 2011 World Cup). Who netted the go-ahead goal in stoppage time? Yup. And let’s not even mention her two-goal output against New Zealand this February that secured a 2-1 comeback win or her late equalizer to draw level with Japan in a friendly this past April.
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Saving face has become standard practice for the precocious starlet. We can flag up her towering header – a rare header – in the dying moments of the U.S.’s momentous semifinal victory over Canada as the latest example.
The context isn’t the only thing that makes today’s goal noteworthy. It marked the 20th time Morgan has found the back of the net in 2012. Morgan is just the fifth player in USWNT history to convert 20 goals in a calendar year. She also becomes the youngest. And it’s barely August.
Morgan’s grown accustomed to restoring hope in desperate situations, but her timely interventions haven’t always carried the day. Take the 2011 World Cup final for instance. It was easily the biggest stage she had yet to step foot on. Her flashy goal gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead with 21 minutes remaining in regular time. In what’s now become WoSo folklore, Japan would storm back with a second equalizer to force penalty kicks. For those unaware, the spot kicks didn’t turn out in the U.S.’s favor.
Last year’s summer classic will now have a sequel, courtesy of the U.S.’s no 13. Japan rarely relinquished control in their semifinal match against France earlier today. The United States, on the back of yet another nerve-jangling comeback, will hope to foil Japan’s bid to become the first team to win the World Cup and Olympic gold in consecutive years.
It’s all teed up for another momentous Morgan moment. We’ve experienced plenty so far, but this will be on a whole new plane. The gold medal match against the defending world champions at Wembley Stadium? That would be the stuff of legend.
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USA Today reports LA Galaxy trade Mike Magee for rights to Robbie Rogers
May 24, 2013, 9:29 PM EDT
In a mind-blowing move, USA Today have reported the LA Galaxy have sent a player to the Chicago Fire in exchange for the rights to Robbie Rogers.
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Getty Images
Internazionale officially announced they have sacked Andrea Stramaccioni and hired the former Napoli boss.
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AP
Tony Fernandes has finally taken some blame for the relegation of QPR instead of shedding it left and right.
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Getty Images
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed Chelsea interm manager Rafa Benitez is set to move to Serie A on a 2-year deal with Napoli.
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USMNT forward Terrence Boyd on ex-club Borussia Dortmund’s UCL charge
May 24, 2013, 3:00 PM EDT
Getty Images
Boyd left Dortmund last season, so is a USMNT player destined to never play in a Champions League final?
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Sporting KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen’s new book reveals past life as gambling addict
May 24, 2013, 2:50 PM EDT
Who knew that Jimmy Nielsen’s burst of white hair wasn’t the craziest thing about Sporting Kansas City’s talented goalkeeper?
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Further MLS attachment to the English Premier League is a good thing … right?
May 24, 2013, 2:45 PM EDT
A blog post in the New Yorker looks at another side to this week’s huge expansion news:
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Getty Images
Both teams are on streaks of success – even if “success” look so radically different in the two camps:
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German invasion of London begins as fans of Munich, Dortmund descend on Wembley
May 24, 2013, 1:56 PM EDT
AP
See the sights around London, as Wembley Stadium welcomes German fans in abundance.
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Champions League final preview: A bitter rivalry with much higher stakes
May 24, 2013, 1:30 PM EDT
Reuters
When Bayern Munich face Borussia Dortmund tomorrow at 2:45 ET at Wembley, they won’t be playing for the right to be recognized as permanent contenders. They’ve already done that.
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Are AS Monaco the real deal after signing Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez?
May 24, 2013, 1:13 PM EDT
Reuters
Monaco’s Russian oligarch owner is splashing the cash to bring Champions League success, can they do it?
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With MLS expansion done for now, where the league priorities should land
May 24, 2013, 1:00 PM EDT
We have five suggestions as MLS pivots its enhancement efforts away from expansion:
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Minnows Gibraltar officially join UEFA… but why are Spain mad?
May 24, 2013, 12:32 PM EDT
Reuters
Looking behind the incredible story of the tiny rock in the Mediterranean, that can now take on the giants of European soccer
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Champions League Final: Key battles for Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich
May 24, 2013, 11:38 AM EDT
Which individual battles will determine which side lifts the UEFA Champions League trophy at Wembley on Saturday?
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Courtesy of MySanAntonio.com
We take a look at which US cities deserve an MLS expansion franchise and how close they are to getting it. Thoughts?

