The United States women's national team drew Colombia 0-0 on Thursday in a lackluster friendly game that had one big theme. Alex Morgan couldn’t finish the USWNT’s best chances.
Morgan debuted for the USWNT on a snowy night in Sandy, Utah, back in 2010. The 34-year-old striker was on the field for the Stars and Stripes at the same venue again 13 years later.
The homecoming to Utah will be one to forget for Morgan who squandered three golden chances including a penalty kick.
Morgan entered the game on one of the worst goal droughts of her international career. The last time she found the back of the net for the USWNT was Feb. 22 against Brazil in the SheBelieves Cup.
Morgan has started every game — 10 in total — for the USWNT since the one vs. Brazil.
Thursday’s game was a prime example of Morgan not being as lethal in front of goal as she’s historically been.
Alex Morgan vs Colombia
In the 25th minute Lindsey Horan found Morgan wide open near the top of the box and her attempted shot was a dribbler that Colombian goalkeeper Natalia Giraldo easily scooped up.
First Chance for Alex Morgan #USWNT #USA #USACOL #COL #USAvCOL pic.twitter.com/BlFgDyPu6b
— Sport Arena (@SportArenYT) October 27, 2023
Morgan’s best chance came from the penalty spot shortly before halftime. Her attempt rattled off the post marking another failed penalty from her.
Alex Morgan is denied from the spot by the post ❌
Watch USA vs. Colombia live on TBS or Max pic.twitter.com/9iWydIIanN— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 27, 2023
During the USWNT’s game vs. Vietnam in the Women’s World Cup Morgan also couldn’t convert from the spot.
Tran Thi Kim Thanh denies Alex Morgan from the spot! pic.twitter.com/a2OMPwinwb
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 22, 2023
In the second half she had one more big chance as Lynn Williams had a great run and cross into the box. Morgan was seven yards out from goal and skied her shot over the bar.
¡Cerca Morgan !@alexmorgan13 la intentó, pero su disparo se fue por encima de la portería
USWNT 0-0 Colombia@NBCUniverso y @peacock ➡️ https://t.co/8Hpbz4ZAck#AmistosoInternacional #USWNT #USWNTtelemundo #FutbolUSA pic.twitter.com/I3ueDRAX7f
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) October 27, 2023
Interim USWNT head coach Twila Kilgore pulled Morgan off for Ashley Hatch in the 67th minute.
Only seven minutes after coming on Hatch did well to ward off a defender and force Giraldo into a tough save on her near post.
Ashley Hatch comes so close to breaking the deadlock
Watch USA vs. Colombia live on TBS or Max pic.twitter.com/k3Tos5o3U9— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 27, 2023
USWNT fans will hate to hear it, but it might be time for Morgan to have a back-up role.
Mia Fischel or Ashley hatch need to be the starting strikers from now on
— Cäsey (@casey_szn12) October 27, 2023
I love Alex Morgan dearly, but I think her role in this next phase of the USWNT is the super sub vet
— Lesley Ryder (@RyderReally) October 27, 2023
i am officially out of patience with alex morgan for the #uswnt, this is borderline unwatchable
— Louligan James (@JamesCoston) October 27, 2023
Morgan’s club form has seen a similar struggle in the goal scoring department. For San Diego Wave FC she broke a four-month goal drought earlier this month. Her eight-game run without a goal in the NWSL was the longest of her career.
In 2023 Morgan has only scored two goals for the USWNT. She will have three more games to try and turn that around. If she fails to score in the next batch of games then she will finish a calendar year, not including 2020, with the lowest goal tally in her career.
The 2024 Olympics are approaching rapidly and the USWNT will need a confident No. 9 to rely on. As things stand, Morgan is no longer the leading candidate for that role.
