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12th July 2023: Bay City Park, Auckland, New Zealand: Co-captain Alex Morgan speaks to media. USWNT United States Women& x2019s national team, Nationalteam football training and media session ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women& x2019s World Cup. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK ActionPlus12530756 AlanxLee
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12th July 2023: Bay City Park, Auckland, New Zealand: Co-captain Alex Morgan speaks to media. USWNT United States Women& x2019s national team, Nationalteam football training and media session ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women& x2019s World Cup. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK ActionPlus12530756 AlanxLee
The FIFA World Cup campaign for Alex Morgan and her teammates is over. The dust is settling. But the wounds are far from healed. USWNT’s journey ended in heartbreak. And most of the fans slammed the team for the dismal campaign. After Donald Trump and Piers Morgan mocked Megan Rapinoe, formal ESPN journalist Bill Simmons bashed Alex Morgan.
USWNT has found itself in the middle of the storm. With the dust settling, disappointed stars are coming out with heartfelt messages. It was a time for San Diego forward to speak her emotions in a social media post.
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Alex Morgan makes way for her emotions
“She’s not a superstar. She’s really, honestly never been a superstar,” said Bill Simmons in his outrage after the Stars and Stripes ousted from the World Cup. He also blasted the media and the fans for unnecessarily hyping the number 13. Morgan had a load of expectations after the injury to Mallory Swanson. However, the soccer icon finished the campaign without scoring.
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Soccer: FIFA Women s World Cup-USA at Portugal Aug 1, 2023 Auckland, NZL United States forward Alex Morgan 13 reacts after a play during the second half a group stage match against Portugal during the 2023 FIFA Women s World Cup at Eden Park. Auckland Eden Park NZL, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJennaxWatsonx 20230801_jhp_ax9_0056
It took 2-3 days for the San Diego forward to respond. In an Instagram post, she wrote, “It hurts, and it will for a while. But this wound will eventually turn into a scar. Another reminder that we compete because we want to be the best and measure ourselves against the top in the world. This time, we came up short. We know that and I own that.”
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The 34-year-old is not planning to hang her boots after World Cup disappointment. Morgan further wrote, “I’m so proud of the effort, the fight, and the belief of this group. I stand by each and every one of these players and reaffirm that we poured everything into this World Cup.” What a turn tables for Alex Morgan, who served the nation with her scintillating performances!
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August 2, 2023, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand: USA forward ALEX MORGAN 13 throws up her arms to the referee in a question about whether there was a foul on the last play in the first half of the 2023 FIFA Womens World Cup Group E match against Portugal at the Eden Park Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. USA 0:0 Portugal Auckland New Zealand – ZUMAb240 20230802_zsp_b240_094 Copyright: xIraxL.xBlackx
And now the fans are slamming her, as everyone forgot her contributions to 2015 and 2019 World Cup wins. Morgan feels honored to represent USWNT, despite getting slack. “There is no greater honor than representing my country. I value and embrace the responsibility that comes along with wearing this crest.” She also reminded the fans that she would never take it for granted to represent the US.
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The San Diego forward remembered the words of Brazilian great Marta: “Cry in the beginning so you can smile in the end.” Morgan feels carrying the scars is not a sign of weakness but a way to get back up and fight for everything. These days will go by as there is a saying, ‘Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.’ We will see the USWNT players coming out of disappointment and keep fighting for the crest.
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