Editor’s note: in the wake of all the people saying Alex Morgan viciously trolled England yesterday during the USA’s Women’s World Cup semifinal win over the Lionesses, and that what she did was totally classless, we re-post this exclusive interview from November 2013. Note what she has to say about Old Trafford, Manchester United and the 2012 Summer Olympics in England.
U.S. Women’s National Team star Alex Morgan, Alex Morgan not Sir Alex Ferguson, and that’s USWNT, not WINT as Tim Beckman likes to say, is the face of USA soccer. But she also knows a lot about Football, or Futbol. Alex is a huge fan of Barca a.k.a. FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi.
However, she also follows Premier League, really enjoys Champions League, and happens to watch a whole lot of International football.
I recently had an exclusive with Morgan, sitting down with her after a Youth Soccer clinic. I asked her about a few things, including English Premier League, Manchester United and Old Trafford.
“Manchester United is one of the most popular teams, clubs, organizations in the world. Actually a lot of their followers are from the United States, so you’ll find that they’re the most hated club in England,” Morgan said.
“And I definitely follow Manchester United, you can’t deny the success and history that the club has had. Going through the Olympics, getting to play at some of these stadiums, United’s Old Trafford being one of them, and that’s actually where I scored the game winner in the semifinal in the injury time of overtime.
“That was a moment that I’ll never forget in my life, so I kind of have a soft spot for Old Trafford and Manchester United.”
Morgan scored the winning goal in the Olympic semifinal match against Canada in extra time, sending the United States to the gold medal match against Japan.
Her goal came in the 123rd minute, the latest goal ever scored by a member of the U.S. women’s team and a FIFA record.
“Knowing the history and the important games, and the best players in the world have stepped on that pitch. It was great to have been a part of that,” Alex said of the home of Manchester United, and the atmosphere that surrounds the field, and Sir Alex Stand.
She follows the PL a lot, but is not a fan of any specific Premier League team. Just a fan of good soccer. And Manchester United has certainly played some good football over the many many years.
In 2012, Morgan led the U.S. in goals (28), multi-goal games (9), assists (21) and points (77). Her calendar year goals, assists, and points totals are the third-best, tied second-best (one tally shy of record), and second-best, respectively, in USWNT history.
Morgan joined an exclusive club as she and Hamm are the only USWNT players to record at least 20 goals and 20 assists in the same calendar year and became only the third and youngest player to reach 20 assists in a calendar year.
Morgan and Wambach combined for 55 goals in 2012 – matching a 21 year old record set in 1991 by Michelle Akers (39 goals) and Carin Jennings (16 goals) as the most goals scored by any duo in USWNT history.
For part three discussing her Miley Cyrus and McKayla Maroney Halloween costumes
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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