“We Created This SheBelieves Cup So…”- USWNT Legend Alex Morgan Discusses Compelling Reasons for Creating the Successful Competition

The SheBelieves initiative of US Soccer inspired the federation to start the SheBelieves Cup in 2016. It is an invitational tournament where they invite three other teams along with USWNT. While speaking to NBC Sports recently, US soccer superstar Alex Morgan reminded everyone of the inspiration behind the tournament.

The tournament returns to its three-venue format this year, where games will take place at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Fla., GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tenn., and Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. It commenced on February 16 and will end on February 22. The other teams in the tournament are Brazil, Canada, and Japan.

Alex Morgan shares the inspiration behind SheBelieves Cup

Morgan, when asked about the inspiration behind the tournament, said, “Yeah, I think we created this SheBelieves Cup, so girls and women believe in themselves. And go after their dreams, chase their dreams, and accomplish that.” 

“We are trying to do that on the field every day in the hope that we do inspire a lot of girls and women with our actions on and off the field,” Morgan added. The SheBelieves initiative started after the USWNT won the 2015 World Cup. It aims to encourage girls and women to achieve their dreams irrespective of whether they are athletes or not.

USWNT has started this edition by winning both their games so far. They go into the last game knowing a draw can give them their fourth consecutive title and sixth overall. They are the most successful team in the tournament, with France (2017) and England (2019) winning it once. 

Mallory Swanson is in great form for the US and has scored all three goals in the tournament. Morgan has provided two assists in three games. US Soccer honored Morgan before the opening game against Canada for reaching 200 caps for USWNT. USWNT will play Brazil in the last tie on February 22. 

Morgan thinks SheBelieves Cup is an excellent platform for USWNT for World Cup preparation

Earlier, the USWNT star highlighted the importance of the round-robin tournament in a bid to prepare for the World Cup this year. She thinks it will give an idea to the team and the coach where the team stands in their preparations.

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Also, she feels the format of the tournament will replicate the group stage of the World Cup that will take place in Australia and New Zealand in July and August. The teams like Brazil, Canada, and Japan, who are in the top 11 of the FIFA rankings, will help the team to have that competitiveness, according to San Diego Wave forward. 

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Has US Soccer been able to achieve its aim behind starting the SheBelieves Cup so far? Will USWNT win the tournament this year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.