Morgan, Naeher lead US into World Cup final

LYON, France – Alex Morgan celebrated her go-ahead goal with a cheeky tea-sipping motion and Alyssa Naeher stopped a late penalty kick to send the United States into the final at the Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 victory over England on Tuesday night.

The top-ranked United States will face the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal between the Netherlands and Sweden in the Americans’ third straight appearance in the World Cup title match.

Christen Press – who started with Megan Rapinoe out with a hamstring injury – put the United States up early in the match but Ellen White’s goal tied it before 20 minutes had passed. Morgan’s sixth goal of the tournament came before the break and on her 30th birthday. She hadn’t had a goal since she scored five in the team’s 13-0 rout of Thailand to open the tournament.

It was also White’s sixth goal but Morgan has the edge for the tournament’s Golden Boot with three assists. White appeared to score her seventh in the 69th minute but video review determined she was offside – and the Americans in the crowd of 53,512 at Stade de Lyon roared.

A video review went against the United States late in the game when it determined Becky Sauerbrunn had fouled White in the penalty area. England captain Steph Houghton’s penalty shot was smothered by a diving Naeher in the 84th minute.

It was the first penalty kick saved by a U.S. goalkeeper in regular time at the World Cup. At the final whistle, the team mobbed Naeher in front

point guard.

There is a light crop of free agent point guards remaining on the market, and signing any of them to a long-term deal might be ill-advised, considering Morant's status as the franchise's point guard of the future.

But if the Grizzlies end up scouring the free agent market for a backup to Morant, here are some of the options:

Rajon Rondo, unrestricted, last salary: $9 million (Lakers), 2018-19: 46 games, 29.8 minutes, 9.2 points, 8.0 assists

As a 33-year-old former NBA champion and former All-star, Rondo seems more likely to wait out the market and sign with a contender. Rondo nearly always has started at least half the games he's played in a season, and it seems unlikely Memphis would have that type of role for him.

Emmanuel Mudiay, unrestricted, last salary: $4.29 million (Knicks), 201819: 59 games, 27.2 minutes, 14.8 points, 3.9 assists

Mudiay is more of a scoring guard than a true point guard, so he might not be a natural fit. Plus, he probably could earn more playing time somewhere else as the Grizzlies are going to prioritize Morant's development.

T.J. Mcconnell, unrestricted, last salary: $1.6 million (76ers), 2018-19: 76 games, 19.3 minutes, 6.4 points, 3.4 assists

Common sense suggests Mcconnell is more likely to re-sign with Philadelphia than leave for a new team. The 76ers have Ben Simmons and Josh Richardson, but they don't have a proven, prototypical point guard in the fold.

Jeremy Lin, unrestricted, last salary: $12.5 million (Hawks/raptors), 2018-19: 74 games, 19.4 minutes, 9.6 points, 3.1 assists

He probably would be behind Kyle Lowry and Fred Vanvleet if he returns to Toronto, and his next salary is likely to fall in the mid-level exception range, which would make him affordable for Memphis if Wright does not return.

Jerryd Bayless, unrestricted, last salary: $8.58 million (Minnesota), 201819: 34 games, 19.3 minutes, 6.1 points, 3.5 assists

Bayless has not played more than 40 games in a season since the 2015-16 campaign as he's battled injuries. But it could make sense to bring him back for a second stint as the Grizzlies' backup point guard if other possibilities fall through.

Tyus Jones, restricted, last salary: $2.44 million (Minnesota), 2018-19: 68 games, 22.9 minutes, 6.9 points, 4.8 assists

With Minnesota also in the market for a point guard, Jones seems likely to remain with the Timberwolves. But he would be a solid backup in Memphis if Wright is lured away and the Grizzlies are willing to make a nice offer.

Quinn Cook, restricted, last salary: $1.54 million (Warriors), 2018-19: 74 games, 14.3 minutes, 6.9 points, 1.6 assists

Cook reportedly is receiving interest from several teams as a restricted free agent after proving himself as a backup the past two seasons in Golden State. He probably could land a longer contract with another team than what Memphis would be willing to offer with Morant in the fold.

Roll with Jevon Carter and Kyle Anderson

Little about Jevon Carter's rookie season suggested he is ready to be a fulltime backup point guard in the NBA. But if Wright leaves as a restricted free agent and the front office wants to use the mid-level exception on a backup center instead, Carter could benefit.

In this scenario, the versatile Kyle Anderson might get an opportunity to play point guard and flash the facilitating skills for which he is widely praised.

Keep Avery Bradley

Avery Bradley is a candidate to be waived, considering that just $2 million is guaranteed of the $12.96 he is due to make in the final year of his contract.

But if Wright is poached by another team before July 8 – the date when Bradley's deal becomes guaranteed – Bradley could be kept and log minutes at point guard and shooting guard next season.

Part of the draw with keeping Wright is his quality defense and ability to play off the ball offensively.

Bradley is 3 inches shorter than Wright, but he can play the same role.

The 6-foot-2 veteran averaged 16.1 points in 14 games with Memphis after arriving in the team's flurry of action at the 2019 trade deadline and would bring another veteran voice to the locker room.

Reach Grizzlies beat writer David Cobb at david.cobb@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Davidwcobb.