The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, already miffed after suffering a stunning loss to Mexico in their previous game, wasn’t interested in playing around with Colombia on Monday night.
Veteran striker Alex Morgan summed up the team’s mood when she engaged in a heated confrontation with two Colombian players during the team’s 3-0 win in a CONCACAF W Gold Cup quarterfinal match. Morgan went nose-to-nose with Colombia’s Maria Usme, before engaging in an up-close-and-personal meeting with Colombia’s Carolina Arias.
“It was very chippy. We expected it,” Morgan told ESPN FC after the game. “I would say that Colombia is a very aggressive, very physical team. They’re always trying to slow the play down ... and we were ready to play. We stepped up to the challenge. After that defeat to Mexico, we were ready for the battle.”
Morgan didn’t score, but she did assist on one of the team’s three goals. Morgan’s performance marks quite a turnaround for her on the national team. The San Diego Wave and former Portland Thorns’ star was left off of the U.S. roster for this tournament, but she took Mia Fishel’s spot when Fishel tore her ACL in training.
Morgan, 34, is expected to start again when the U.S. faces Canada in a semifinal round match Wednesday in San Diego. If she can produce another strong performance against the defending Olympic champions, she just might earn a roster spot on the U.S. Team that will compete in the Summer Olympics in Paris.