Despite having won numerous championships, Alex Morgan never gets bored with it.
The U.S. women's national team defeated Canada 1-0 to win the CONCACAF W Championship on Monday night, securing one of the region's spots in the 2024 Olympics. Morgan converted on a penalty in the 78th minute.
Being referred to as the champion is always satisfying, and this game means a lot to us. It will always be significant, according to Morgan. They certainly gave us a run for our money against Canada, but we won and are happy with our performance.
The United States ultimately broke the deadlock when Rose Lavelle was fouled in the box and Morgan deceived Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan on the penalty kick as FIFA President Gianni Infantino watched from a private box.
It was the 118th goal of Morgan's whole career.
According to U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski, "Alex is a big player, and big players are born for big moments." And that's what distinguishes her.
Earlier on Monday, Jamaica won 1-0 in overtime against Costa Rica to take third place in the competition.
The four semifinalists had already qualified for the 2023 World Cup, which would be held in Australia and New Zealand the following summer. Runner-up In September 2023, Canada and Jamaica will face off in a playoff for the other Olympic bid from the area.
Since losing to Mexico 2-1 in a 2011 World Cup qualifying match, the United States is 33-0 in games for the Olympic or World Cup.
The matchup was a replay of Tokyo's Olympic semifinal from the previous year. Canada defeated the United States for the first time in 20 years, winning 1-0 on a last-second penalty kick to progress to the championship game.
The Canadians eventually defeated Sweden in a penalty shootout to earn the gold medal. The bronze medal was won by the American team.
Casey Murphy, who began the final match of the tournament, was replaced in goal by Alyssa Naeher for the United States. Additionally, defender Emily Fox made a comeback after the COVID-19 protocol.
Since the Olympics, the United States has undergone transformation, and Morgan is now one of the roster's more experienced players, surrounded by young talent like forward Sophia Smith and Mallory Pugh.
But Becky Sauerbrunn, Megan Rapinoe, and Morgan's steady veteran presence have undoubtedly benefited the club. All three are seasoned World Cup champions who understand what it takes to succeed on a large stage.
At the start of the game at Estadio BBVA, the temperature was in the low 90s. Pugh made a burst down the right side and took a strong shot at the goal in the 31st minute, but Sheridan made a good save.
With help from Kadeisha Buchanan, a teammate, she made another in the 45th on Smith's frantic attempt to score at the goal line. In the 64th, Smith got another opportunity, but it missed wide.
Jordyn Huitema's header for Canada, one of several late attempts, was wide.
"I believe that the aspect of the team's response following the penalty call that most satisfied me was their willingness to do whatever it took to reverse the outcome. That's all you can ask, so we gave it our all, said Canada coach Bev Priestman.
In the earlier game, Jamaica won thanks to a goal by Kalyssa van Zanten in the 102nd minute. In the 99th minute, Notre Dame player Van Zanten entered the match as a substitute and scored on a perfectly put ball from Drew Spence.
Jamaica coach Lorne Donaldson, who recently took over the Reggae Girlz early last month amidst turmoil, said, "I talked to her before she goes in and told her there's a goal in those boot and she nodded to me and it gave her some confidence."
Melissa Herrera confronted Jamaica goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer alone and had Costa Rica's greatest chance of the first half, but her effort missed to the left.
In stoppage time, Rocky Rodriguez, a player with the National Women's Soccer League's Portland Thorns, struck the post with a shot, forcing overtime.
In the semifinal matches, Jamaica lost to Canada 3-0 and Costa Rica suffered a 3-0 loss to the United States. Both Jamaica and Costa Rica have already attended the World Cup.
Since the 1991 inaugural year of the World Cup, the United States has participated in every edition. The Americans have won four championships, the most recent two in 2015 and 2019.
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