Alex Morgan Helps U.S. Beat Colombia in Gold Cup Quarterfinal
Former Cal standout Alex Morgan did not score in Sunday's Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal match against Colombia, but she played a critical role in the United States' first two goals in the Americans' 3-0 victory in Los Angeles.
Morgan was in the starting lineup on Sunday, and her contributions in the quarterfinal win may earn her another start in Wednesday's semifinal match in San Diego against Canada, which defeated Costa Rica 1-0 on Saturday.
Morgan made an impact in the 10th minute Sunday when she had a scoring opportunity inside the box while charging toward the goal. Colombia's Jorelyn Carabali opted to take Morgan down for an obvious penalty rather than give Morgan a chance to take a shot.
Alex Morgan gets pulled down, resulting in a penalty. Photo by Kiyoshi Mio, USA TODAY Sports
It resulted in a penalty shot taken by Lindsey Horan, who converted to give the Americans a 1-0 lead.
Morgan then had a physical confrontation with Colombia's Catalina Usme, resulting in yellow cards for both players.
Morgan helped to set up the second U.S. goal on a set piece. Naomi Girma directed a long ball toward Morgan, who headed it nicely toward Jenna Nighswonger, who put it into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead in the 22nd minute. Morgan got an assist on that goal.
Jaedyn Shaw added a goal in stoppage time to give the U.S. a 3-0 lead at halftime.
Morgan started the second half, and had a good scoring opportunity midway through that half. She was just a few feet from the goal when she tried to one-touch a long ball into the net, but she was unable to get enough control and sent it just over the goal.
She was replaced in the 71st minute, receiving a large ovation as she left.
Morgan has two goals and an assist in four games in the Gold Cup. Not bad for someone who was added to the roster just a few hours before the U.S. played its first match in this Gold Cup.
Cover photo of Alex Morgan getting pulled down is by Kiyoshi Mio, USA TODAY Sports
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