EDMONTON, Alberta — When Alex Morgan plays, the U.S. is different team.
The star forward, who made her first World Cup start ever Tuesday night in the USA’s 1-0 win over Nigeria, gives the Americans more chances to be successful when she’s on the field.
“Her runs are good,” said central midfielder Carli Lloyd. “She makes good, looping, bending runs outside the defenders, and gets in the back line really well, and has a good knack for the field, and kind of positioning and reading the game well.”
Morgan only played a combined 23 minutes in the USA’s first two matches against Australia and Sweden, but was on the field for 65 alongside Abby Wambach in the team’s final group match against Nigeria.