United States (Women's Football)

Alex Morgan has scored 107 goals in her U.S. women's national team career, and the 30-year-old forward has set a new goal for herself.

In an interview published Wednesday, Morgan told Rory Carroll of Reuters that she's aiming to play in the 2020 Olympics next summer even though she's expecting her first child in April and the Tokyo Games are scheduled to begin on July 24.

"It's my goal to play there," Morgan said. "It's clearly a short window but if I'm able to, I want to be there representing my country." 

Morgan and her husband, Servando Carrasco, publicly announced her pregnancy on Oct. 23. They are expecting a daughter:

We are already in love and we haven’t even met her yet. Newest member of the Carrasco family, coming soon. pic.twitter.com/xeJPuDQgiS

— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) October 23, 2019

Morgan's good news came after she and the USWNT won the 2019 Women's World Cup in France. During the team's run to its second straight World Cup title, Morgan netted six goals. She tied with teammate and co-captain Megan Rapinoe, but Rapinoe was awarded the Golden Boot because she scored her six goals in fewer minutes (428) compared to Morgan (490). 

Following the World Cup and ensuing celebration, Morgan's NWSL season ended prematurely because of a knee injury. The Orlando Pride striker played in only two matches for her club before the patella stress reaction in her knee forced her to the sideline. 

As for Morgan plotting a quick return post-birth, she has an example in Pride and USWNT teammate Sydney Leroux. On Sept. 29, Leroux played her first game for the Pride three months and one day after giving birth to her daughter. 

Vlatko Andonovski will succeed Jill Ellis as head coach of the United States women's national team, a move that was made official on Monday.  

From: Vlatko
To: You, the Best Fans in the World#OneNationOneTeam pic.twitter.com/VLv7ZuQR2q

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 28, 2019

Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl first reported the hire on Oct. 24.

Andonovski was hired after a stint with Reign FC in the National Women's Soccer League. The Reign reached the semifinals of the NWSL playoffs, losing 4-1 to the North Carolina Courage.

Prior to coaching the Reign, the 43-year-old was in charge of FC Kansas City, who won the NWSL title in 2014 and 2015.

Wahl reported Andonovski emerged as the "preferred choice of the current USWNT players."

Jen Buczkowski, who played for Andonovski in Kansas City, spoke highly of how he connected with his squad.

"I think he gains a lot of respect from his players, and he does it in the right way," Buczkowski said, per espnW.com's Graham Hays. "Even though we hated him in the beginning for all the running."

Andonovski will have big shoes to fill. The USWNT successfully repeated as World Cup champion this past summer, and Ellis was a two-time FIFA World Women's Coach of the Year.

In addition to maintaining the incredibly high standards for the national team, he'll have to start building a bridge to the next generation.

Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd, Becky Sauerbrunn and Ali Krieger are all 34 or older, so they're unlikely to be around for the 2023 World Cup. Andonovski can also expect to be without Alex Morgan for the foreseeable future after she announced Wednesday she's expecting her first child with husband Servando Carrasco.

The team's immediate focus will be the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The U.S. is looking to atone for a fifth-place finish in 2016, and many of the key players from the World Cup run should still be available to play.

United States women's national team superstar Alex Morgan and husband Servando Carrasco of the Los Angeles Galaxy announced Wednesday they are expecting their first child, a baby girl, in April 2020.

😱❤️😱❤️😱

👶 Congratulations Servando and @alexmorgan13! pic.twitter.com/wBS51l8mnk

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) October 23, 2019

Morgan played a pivotal role in helping the USWNT win the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup with six goals, which tied for the tournament lead. She's tied for fifth in the national team's history with 107 goals in 169 career caps.

The 30-year-old California native plays for the Orlando Pride in the National Women's Soccer League.

Carrasco, 31, joined the Galaxy in 2018 after previous stints with the Seattle Sounders, Houston Dynamo, Sporting Kansas City and Orlando City. The defensive midfielder has two goals in 161 MLS matches.

The couple married in December 2014 after meeting at the University of California, where they played for the women's and men's soccer teams.

Carli Lloyd believes expressing her unhappiness about a diminished role when the U.S. won the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France this summer shows her winning mentality, and the words wouldn't be criticised if they came from a male athlete.

Lloyd took to Twitter on Wednesday to defend comments she made during a recent edition of the Laughter Permitted with Julie Foudy podcast (h/t espnW.com's Graham Hays).

pic.twitter.com/XrJgD893UW

— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) October 16, 2019

"Why do I need to explain that mindset?" she wrote in part. "A champion mindset is the will to be the best. If Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Tom Brady or any other elite male athlete said the same thing there would be no problem."

The 37-year-old had told Foudy how playing less for her country since the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro made her feel: "It was absolutely the worst time of my life. It affected my relationship with my husband, with friends. It really was rock-bottom of my entire career."

What particularly drew Lloyd's ire was her lack of minutes during the tournament in France. While she appeared in all but one of the USWNT's games, Lloyd only started one of her seven matches and came off the bench in the final against the Netherlands.

However, Sky Blue FC star Lloyd felt she merited greater inclusion: "I deserved to be on that field that whole World Cup, but I wasn't."    

It's a view others, including Charles Olney of Stars and Stripes FC, share:

In 2019, Carli Lloyd has been better than any of the three forwards who regularly started for the USWNT at the World Cup.

— Charles Olney (@olneyce) October 15, 2019

As a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Lloyd had established herself as arguably the most gifted member of a generation loaded with talent. The sudden loss of status in Jill Ellis' starting XI likely came as a shock, although some would agree with the selection decision made in France:

https://twitter.com/lgbtqfc/status/1184157709609906178

Even so, there was no animosity in the way Lloyd described her happiness for team-mates, including striker Megan Rapinoe, who took on a starring role.

Yet while she was pleased for others, Lloyd told Foudy how she wants to be a part of the group expected to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. It's a serious ambition and one that may have been at the heart of her assessment of playing in a squad role at a major tournament.

Carli Lloyd didn't exactly relish winning the FIFA Women's World Cup this summer. It was the U.S. star's second World Cup trophy, but Lloyd didn't appreciate the part she played in her nation's triumph in France.

Speaking to the Laughter Permitted with Julie Foudy podcast (h/t ESPN's Graham Hays), 37-year-old Lloyd offered a blunt description of what it was like to play less:

"I'm not going to lie and sugarcoat it. It was absolutely the worst time of my life. It affected my relationship with my husband, with friends. It really was rock bottom of my entire career. But somehow, you see light at the end of the tunnel and I can honestly say I'm having more fun now playing than I ever have in my career. I think I just learned a lot throughout it."

"There's no denying it. I deserved to be on that field that whole World Cup, but I wasn't. And I think I've grown as a person, as a player. It sucked. It absolutely sucked."

Lloyd was the skipper for her country at the tournament, but she still made just a single start during the group stage. While she scored during wins over Thailand and Canada, Lloyd was reduced to starting on the substitutes bench for every one of her nation's games in the knockout phase despite being one of the cornerstones of the USWNT's success in previous years:

On this day last year, @CarliLloyd scored her 8th career hat trick during qualification for France. A year later... well we know how it all turned out. ⭐️😎#OTD, Pres. by @Tylenol. For more U.S. Soccer moments » https://t.co/skSJlO7Yb1 pic.twitter.com/Wmn7YS92Gy

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 8, 2019

Although she came off the bench against Spain, France, England and during the final against the Netherlands, Lloyd's role was obviously diminished. Instead, the U.S. became defined by a prolific forward line underpinned by Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, with Tobin Heath and Christen Press in support.

It's hard to fault the strategy since all of them are younger and thus more likely to remain in the team's plans by the next World Cup, with Rapinoe winning the Golden Ball as the best player at the tournament. She was also awarded the Golden Boot as the competition's top goalscorer with six, while Morgan was second, which also may help to justify the selection decisions made by coach Jill Ellis.

6 goals and 3 assists in 5 games.

Megan Rapinoe wins the 2019 World Cup Golden Boot ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/0ezHSpOTbx

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 7, 2019

Lloyd described herself as "super happy" for her teammates. However, she also said she intends to speak to Ellis' replacement about what level of playing time she can expect now that her old boss has stepped down.

In terms of setting targets, Lloyd already has an eye on the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo: "I hope a coach comes in that values me, respects me, wants me (as) a part of the Olympic plans."

Lloyd began to play less after the USWNT were eliminated at the quarter-final stage of the 2016 games in Rio. Yet the veteran No. 10 still has the eye for a pass and the qualities as a finisher to remain a major asset at the international level, something she's been proving recently during her team's victory tour:

If you thought watching that @CarliLloyd goal at full speed was fun, check this out... 😳

ps: @mPinoe services continue to be a beauty. pic.twitter.com/oCOm05wbZA

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 6, 2019

If the next coach does overlook Lloyd, the Sky Blue FC forward would be free to focus on other ambitions:

Carli Lloyd is targeting more history 🏈 pic.twitter.com/jRXNmIrEZo

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 11, 2019

However, if the U.S. is going to continue dominating the women's game, Lloyd should be an integral part of the team.

Jill Ellis ended her reign as the United States women's national soccer team manager in disappointing fashion on Sunday when the Stars and Stripes drew 1-1 against 10-woman South Korea at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Chelsea star Ji So-yun gave the guests a surprise lead approaching half-time, but Carli Lloyd equalised in her 282nd appearance for the USWNT minutes later.

The United States beat South Korea 2-0 in another friendly meeting on Friday, when Allie Long and Mallory Pugh provided the goals.

Ellis, 53, is stepping down from the role following five years as United States coach, leaving on the back of a dominant 21-match unbeaten streak.

The United States won their last five matches with clean sheets, while South Korea travelled to Illinois having lost their last five in a row and managing just one goal during that time.

The odds appeared stacked in favour of the hosts, considering they already got the better of this foe on Friday, and Ellis' send-off gave the players more to play for this time around:

#ThankYouJill, 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿.

🇺🇸🐐❤️ pic.twitter.com/DzPX1Za2TA

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 6, 2019

Ji was always going to be one of the leading threats on Alyssa Naeher's goal, and the Chelsea midfielder showcased her pedigree when she converted a classy opener in the 34th minute.

South Korea made the most of a free-kick and got the breakthrough after Ji capitalised upon Son Hwa-yeon's flick onward, poking in to upset the scoreline early on.

Ellis couldn't have hoped for a much faster response from her side, though, and a suitable scorer pulled the hosts level following speculation she was ageing beyond the national team:

If you thought watching that @CarliLloyd goal at full speed was fun, check this out... 😳

ps: @mPinoe services continue to be a beauty. pic.twitter.com/oCOm05wbZA

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 6, 2019

The 37-year-old Lloyd showed the motivation to meet Megan Rapinoe's cross three minutes later and head in an equaliser at the back post, scoring as she extended her record as the United States' longest-serving active player.

The two teams went in level at the break, and sportswriter John D. Halloran noted it was perhaps well timed, considering how competitive the friendly had become:

An extremely physical first half comes to a close.

If I were the coach of an NWSL playoff team, I'd be a bit worried about whether my players are coming home healthy.

— John D. Halloran (@JohnDHalloran) October 6, 2019

That competitive streak continued into the second period, with Ellis making a number of changes in her final 45 minutes in charge.

Long and Pugh, who scored against the Koreans on Friday, entered the fray but were unable to make the same impact in attack this time around.

Son deserved praise for the role she played in South Korea's opener, but the forward was shown her marching orders for a second caution in the 84th minute to cap off a mixed performance.

A draw wasn't the result Ellis wanted in her final match, though the defending world champions will use Sunday's result as a sign there's still progress to be made.

        

What's Next?

The United States will face Sweden in their next friendly November 8, while South Korea will meet China when the 2019 EAFF E-1 Football Championship begins December 10.

U.S. Women's National Team star Megan Rapinoe said she would be open to offers from Barcelona or Real Madrid amid rumours linking her with the two clubs. 

Per Goal's Ryan Tolmich, Rapinoe sparked talk of a move when she said in September that Barca  were "No. 1 in my heart."

The 34-year-old spoke after the USWNT beat South Korea 2-0 in a friendly on Thursday after speculation linking her with Spain spread like "wildfire:"

"I was like, 'What did I say?' I don't remember saying that, but who knows because sometimes I say stuff.

"I was like 'Did I say I was going there?' I just thought I was open to all offers as always. I'll entertain anything that has dollar signs next to it.

"It is interesting though. It's cool to see all of these teams jumping in and seeing that interest, if there is interest, to see it from foreign teams about players."

Rapinoe laid on two assists in the game:

2 assists for Rapinoe 🅰️🅰️
1 big record for Jill Ellis 🔝

The latest stop on the @USWNT #VictoryTour in our 90' in 90" ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/CR4HSEomKP

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 4, 2019

She added that she hopes it becomes the norm for European teams to pursue American players and for more European players to head in the other direction, though she conceded it would be difficult to prise players "away from the travelling circus that we all partake in."

The Reign FC star also said her parents were aware of the rumours and enthusiastic about the possibility of moving to Barcelona.

Barcelona Femeni have not won the women's top flight in Spain since 2015—they've finished second to Athletic Bilbao or Atletico Madrid in the four campaigns since—but they did reach the UEFA Champions League final last season.

Real Madrid Femenino are set to launch in 2020-21 when they absorb and take the place of Club Deportivo Tacon. Per Tolmich, it's said Real could pursue Rapinoe as their first Galactica signing.

Rapinoe was named as The Best FIFA Women's Player last month after she played a key role in helping the United States win the FIFA Women's World Cup in the summer.

The American was awarded the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot in the tournament after she scored six goals, including the opener in the final as the USA beat the Netherlands 2-0.

Football journalist and author Caitlin Murray hailed Rapinoe after she won the award:

https://twitter.com/caitlinmurr/status/1176226454821957632

She has raised her profile off the pitch, too, for speaking out on issues such as inequality and discrimination:

Megan Rapinoe hails Raheem Sterling and many others after winning Best FIFA Women's Player at #TheBestAwards 2019

📺 Watch the #FIFAFootballAwards live on Sky Sports PL now pic.twitter.com/yTkFvvJGgJ

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 23, 2019

Rapinoe played for and won a league title with Lyon in 2013 prior moving to Seattle, so another switch to Europe as she enters the twilight of her career could hold some appeal.

Barcelona would likely present a more competitive option given their ability to challenge for top honours, but being the face of a new Real Madrid team could also be a lucrative opportunity.

Nearly three months after claiming the 2019 World Cup in France, the U.S. women's national team kept the celebration going at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium on Thursday night with a 2-0 win over the Korea Republic in its second-to-last Victory Tour friendly. 

As a result, Jill Ellis became the winningest head coach in USWNT history with her 106th victory:

HISTORY! 🇺🇸👏👏

Jill Ellis passes the late Tony DiCicco for most @USWNT wins all-time! pic.twitter.com/1zipapp3PR

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 4, 2019

Allie Long (45+3') and Mallory Pugh (76') were the goal scorers with 2019 FIFA women's world player of the year Megan Rapinoe assisting both off set pieces. Rapinoe hadn't played with the club since the World Cup Final on July 6.

Prior to kickoff, U.S. defender Ali Krieger celebrated her 100th international cap, which she reached in May. The moment was made more emotional by her father's presence at the pregame ceremony after he suffered multiple injuries in a car accident in early September:

Thank you, Ali! @AliKrieger is joined by her family to celebrate reaching 100 caps with @USWNT 💯 🇺🇸❤️ pic.twitter.com/VoqEnkAzxN

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 4, 2019

Krieger's fiancee, Ashlyn Harris, got the start in goal. Megan Rapinoe, Mallory Pugh, Allie Long and Rose Lavelle were the other four fresh faces in the lineup from the team's last game on Sept. 3: 

We're not a regular team. We're a cool team.

Lineup Notes: https://t.co/lqfEaHl59s#VictoryTour x @Allstate pic.twitter.com/eLSicdVO3u

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 3, 2019

Once the whistle blew, the Americans got off to a quiet start. Midfielder Julie Ertz and forward Mallory Pugh each had promising shots hit the post, but it was only a matter of time, though, before they settled into form.

The first goal came just before halftime when Pugh earned a free kick in the second minute of extra time. Rapinoe sailed a cross into the box, and Long's left foot volleyed it home: 

That cross. That finish.
So fetch, @ALLIE_LONG & @mPinoe 👏 pic.twitter.com/LaXYv8Hmwa

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 4, 2019

The post continued to haunt the U.S. in the second half. Carli Lloyd, who entered the night having scored in three straight games, hit it in the 49th minute off a pass from Christen Press. And then, in the 68th minute, Press saw a chance of her own ricochet off the beam. 

Press generated several exciting opportunities in the second half, but it was Rapinoe again who led to the team's second goal:

Two for you #USWNT, you go #USWNT!

That header from @MalPugh was just 👌. pic.twitter.com/pi797AnFvM

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 4, 2019

Rapinoe was subbed out immediately after the goal, replaced by Jessica McDonald. Press, Andi Sullivan and Tierna Davidson were the other American substitutes. 

The U.S. will leave Charlotte having kept opponents scoreless in five consecutive matches.

   

What's Next? 

The U.S. will finish its Victory Tour on Sunday in a rematch with the Korea Republic at Chicago's Soldier Field. It will be head coach Jill Ellis' last game with the team, as she announced her retirement on July 30.

The United States women's national team play the final two games of their 2019 Victory Tour on Thursday and Sunday against the Korea Republic.

Thursday's match takes place at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the two teams then travel to Chicago's Soldier Field for their second meeting.

The hosts boast an excellent record over their opponents. In 11 meetings between the two nations, all on American soil, the United States have won nine and drawn two.

        

Date: Thursday, October 3

Time: 8 p.m. ET/1 a.m. (Fri) BST

TV: Fox Sports 1, TUDN (USA)

Live Stream: Fox Sports Go (USA), TUDN En Vivo (USA)

   

Match Preview

Manager Jill Ellis has added midfielder Andi Sullivan to her roster for the two games following an excellent season for Washington Spirit:

📰 | Midfielder @sunshine_sully has been added to the #USWNT roster for the upcoming matches in Charlotte and Chicago.

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) September 30, 2019

Sullivan scored twice in 22 appearances for her club side and will be hoping to add to her collection of 11 international caps.

The midfielder has been included due to injuries and to allow players to rest after a busy schedule. The rest of the roster is made up of the 23 players who helped the USWNT clinch the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France.

Ellis' team have enjoyed dominant wins over Ireland and Portugal on their Victory Tour, and the manager will be hoping her team can continue that streak and finish on a high.

Sunday's match against the Korea Republic will be Ellis' last in charge of the national team. She announced in July she will step down in October after five years in the post:

102 wins, only seven losses & the first in history to win two World Cup titles.

Jill Ellis will step down as #USWNT head in October as a forever legend. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/8t5Lb3k2mP pic.twitter.com/jzXWH68Svb

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 30, 2019

Meanwhile, defender Ali Krieger will be honoured ahead of Thursday's match for winning 100 caps with the national team.

Krieger hit the landmark back in May but is looking forward to the belated celebration, per The Athletic's Meg Linehan:

https://twitter.com/itsmeglinehan/status/1178373386382249984

Thursday's match will see the Korea Republic back in action after their exploits at the World Cup. The team qualified for the finals but went out in the group stage after defeats to France, Nigeria and Norway.

Coach Yoon Deok-yeo stepped down from his position after the tournament and was replaced by Choi In-cheul. However Choi has since resigned amid allegations of physical and verbal abuse of players, according to the Korea Times.

Former player Hwang In-sun has taken charge of the team on an interim basis as the team begin preparations to qualify for the Olympics for the first time.

There is plenty of quality in the visitors' squad. Captain Cho So-hyun has over 100 caps, while Chelsea's Ji So-Yun offers creativity and goals:

47 - Korea Republic forward Ji So-Yun created more goalscoring chances from open play than any other player in the English @FAWSL last season whilst playing for @ChelseaFCW (47). Exciting. #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/WFQx7SIM8m

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 7, 2019

Yet a first win over the USWNT looks unlikely on Thursday. There is a gulf in quality between the two sides, and the hosts are still flying high after their success in France.

The United States women's national team defeated Portugal 3-0 on Tuesday at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The result was a milestone for coach Jill Ellis, who notched her 105th win in charge of the national team to tie her with Tony DiCicco for the most all time.

Carli Lloyd had a brace, scoring in the 22nd and 32nd minutes, and Lindsey Horan got on the score sheet in the 83rd minute as well. The USWNT notched its second victory over Portugal in less than a week as part of its 2019 Women's World Cup victory tour.

Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the next stop. The United States will face off with South Korea on Oct. 3.

Lloyd picked up where she left off in the previous meeting. The 37-year-old had a goal and an assist in the USWNT's first win over Portugal and then scored the first two goals Tuesday.

Her first was fortuitous, as Portugal turned what should've been a straightforward clearance into an adventure. Rather than getting the ball out of her the 18-yard box, Tatiana Pinto directed it toward her own goal. After some confusion, Lloyd had a point-blank chance in front of an open goal.

Honestly, pick a sport. @CarliLloyd is a baller in all of them. pic.twitter.com/tQhROo1XM1

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) September 4, 2019

A penalty set up Lloyd's second. Ana Borges brought down Tobin Heath just inside the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. 

Most people after turning 30: It's all downhill now.@CarliLloyd: Scores 81 goals (and counting). pic.twitter.com/60azhzyjtA

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) September 4, 2019

With any drama about the outcome gone, the big question became whether Lloyd would successfully complete her hat trick.

So exactly how long is it going to take Carli Lloyd to get her hatty in this game, do you think #USAvPOR

— Stars and Stripes FC (@StarsStripesFC) September 4, 2019

Meanwhile, Lloyd fires wide in her hat trick bid after a ball bounces to her off McDonald. #USAvPOR

— The Mane Land (@TheManeLand) September 4, 2019

She ultimately fell short. The addition of Mallory Pugh in the 57th minute pushed her a little deeper into midfield, making it harder to find a scoring opportunity.

Her teammates didn't have better luck. Horan added the USWNT's third in the 83rd minute as the United States struggled to turn its possession into meaningful chances.

The USWNT finished with 21 total shots, 10 of which were on target, per ESPN FC. Portugal, on the other hand, had only one shot over the full 90 minutes.

Tuesday was a night to remember for Kristen Hamilton. The 27-year-old, who has eight goals and three assists in 16 appearances for the North Carolina Courage, made her USWNT debut, replacing Jessica McDonald in the 76th minute.

With two more friendlies remaining, the victory tour will give Hamilton a little more time to feature on the pitch before Ellis steps down and the national team moves in a new direction.