Pride star shines in the international spotlight

Morgan became a leader for her sport on and off pitch

Orlando Pride star Alex Morgan was in the international spotlight on this date in 2019.

Morgan scored five goals during a 13-0 win over Thailand a day earlier, but she had a bigger job on June 12.

The Americans were heavily criticized for their goal celebrations.

Morgan scored in the 12th, 53rd, 74th, 81st and 87th minutes, never letting up. The score itself didn’t seem to irk people as much as the joy the players took until time expired, when they consoled the Thailand team.

Morgan then established herself as a different kind of elite performer.

She defended the U.S. performance and called out other countries for failing to fund soccer at a level that would help them beat them Americans.

“Whatever we do or say or the way we play, everything is going to be magnified,” Morgan said. “We have the microphone and we have the platform here.”

She had the support of former U.S. players thrilled to see her step up.

“She has taken more of a leadership role, becoming a voice for off-field issues, and that has played a big role is how she is respected and seen on the team internally,” retired U.S. star Abby Wambach told the Washington Post. “Of course, opponents have feared her from the beginning. For her to make a championship hers, in many ways, maybe scoring the goal isn’t necessarily going to be the [aim]. Winning is most important for her.

“In a lot of ways, she gets so much praise and so much attention, and I would love for that to get backed up by a championship-effecting tournament.”