The U.S. Women’s National team delighted in a 3-1 win over Brazil at the Citrus Bowl.
Alex Morgan played coy postgame when asked specifically about her rumored transfer to the Orlando Pride. That disarming quality is what helped make her one of the most popular women’s soccer stars in the world.
Her lethal play on the field is what earned her that desire from an expansion team looking to make a splash.
On this Sunday, it is what delighted the fans most of all.
Morgan scored in the ninth minute when Tobin Heath found her down the flank. Morgan worked her way around the keeper and scored into the empty net. She put the ball in the back of the net one more time, but was called offside.
She was active early on and that made the Citrus Bowl crowd of 32,000-plus fans get on their feet and cheer. The final games for stars Lori Chalupny and Lauren Holiday continued the celebration even more.
The only moments of concern quickly dissipated when Crystal Dunn cleaned up a saved header three minutes into stoppage time to break a 1-1 tie. The result — a 3-1 win over rival Brazil — was truly one for a coronation tour.
The game itself though was largely a sluggish one. The cross-country trip for both teams was pretty apparent throughout.
The United States struggled to stay on the ball as Brazil dominated possession but had few truly threatening opportunities. The United States won because it took advantage of the opportunities it did have.
The crowd though was extremely happy to experience the victory tour and see the heroes of the Women’s World Cup. It was a perfect Sunday in many ways.
It also continued to prove the city is supportive of soccer. Even on a day when Orlando City played a game it needed to win to make the Playoffs, fans filled the Citrus Bowl for an international friendly and to see the Women’s World Cup champions.
The game itself had all the elements the fans would need. The urgency to win certainly was not at its highest with little on the line at the end of the day.
The city though got a great show. The U.S. Women’s National Team got to celebrate a win, their World Cup win and two of their veteran players leaving the team for good.
And, maybe, Orlando got a preview of its new star in the making.
