Morgan’s hat trick a breeze

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Alex Morgan capped a seemingly effortless hat trick by converting off a dazzling piece of footwork by Tobin Heath, and the United States women’s national soccer team rolled to a 4-2 victory over Japan on Thursday night in its opener at the four-team Tournament of Nations.

Megan Rapinoe also had a goal and an assist for the world’s topranked team, which hasn’t lost since falling to Australia in its opening match at last year’s Tournament of Nations.

The rematch of those powerhouses is Sunday in East Hartford, Connecticut, after Australia began its bid to repeat as champion with a 3-1 victory over Brazil on Thursday.

Morgan scored her first goal in the 18th minute when she flicked a pass from Rapinoe past Japanese goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita. Her second came a scant eight minutes later, when Emily Sonnett gathered a cross from Crystal Dunn and popped it ahead to Morgan, who headed in the goal.

The hat trick was complete after Heath, who had just entered as a substitute, made two Japanese defenders look foolish along the end line. She then swung a centering pass that was deflected to Morgan, who deposited it for her first threegoal game since Olympic qualifying in February 2016.

Rapinoe added her goal in the 66th minute as the Americans ramped up the offense just as they begin ramping up for World Cup qualifying.