It was in Germany at that tournament that Morgan truly burst onto the international stage
Nicknamed “Baby Horse” early in her career for her blazing speed and jaunty running style, she scored her first four USWNT goals in 2010 and soon out-grew that moniker as she became one of the most prominent faces of the U.S. team and the women’s game.
Morgan scored her first USWNT goal on March 31, 2010, but really announced her presence on Nov. 20 of that year when she scored in stoppage time against Italy in Padova at the end of the first leg of the Women’s World Cup playoff, giving the USA a 1-0 win and a key advantage heading back to Chicago for the second leg, which the USA won 1-0 to qualify for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
It was in Germany at that tournament that Morgan truly burst onto the international stage, coming off the bench in five of the six games and joining Wambach as the first two U.S. players to score in a World Cup Semifinal and Final. The USA lost the World Cup Final in a penalty kick shootout, but there would be more world championships in Morgan’s future.
A year later at the 2012 Olympics, Morgan scored three goals with four assists and produced one of the most epic and important goals in U.S. history in the semifinal when she looped in a header in the 123rd minute against Canada to give the USA a dramatic 4-3 win. It still is the latest goal scored ever in a FIFA women’s world championship.
