Alex Morgan, 4 more Cal Women's Soccer alumni in World Cup starting Thursday
5 Golden Bears will represent 4 nations (USA, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway) down in New Zealand and Australia this summer
Cal alumnus and global soccer icon Alex Morgan will be seeking to lead Team USA (USWNT) to an unprecedented 3rd consecutive World Cup title this coming month. The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be the 9th edition. USWNT is seeking to add a 5th star to their kits after winning the past two editions in 2015 in Canada and 2019 in France. Alex Morgan’s first World Cup ended in a heartbreaking championship final shoot-out loss to Japan in 2011.
Alex Morgan will not be the only Cal Bear in New Zealand and Australia though. Morgan will be joined by former Cal teammate and fellow Women's World Cup mainstay Betsy Hassett (4th World Cup) and Daisy Cleverley (3rd World Cup), both representing co-host New Zealand. Making their World Cup debuts will be Ifeoma Onumonu, representing Nigeria since 2021, and Guro Bergsvand, representing Norway.
There is one extra Cal Bear this year compared to the last World Cup when Miranda Nild represented Thailand, who did not qualify for this tournament. Morgan and Hassett played together at Cal. For the other three Beasr, Onumonu overlapped with Bergsvand who overlapped with Cleverley.
The 2023 Women's World Cup saw an expansion from 24 to 32 teams with the tournament prize money also doubled. The previous two World Cups, both won by the USA, consisted of 24 teams, up from just 16 teams in 2011. The expansion meant that there will be eight groups of four teams. The top two teams in each group will make the Round of 16 of the knockout stage.
Team USA is ranked 1st in the world. Norway is ranked 12th. Co-host New Zealand is ranked 26th. Nigeria is ranked 40th as the best country in Africa. Norway and New Zealand are in the same Group A with the Philippines (46th) and Switzerland (20th). Nigeria got a tough draw to be in Group B with Australia (10th), Ireland (22nd), and Canada (7th). The USWNT is in Group E with Vietnam (32nd), Netherlands (9th), and Portugal (21st).
Each squad has a roster of 23 players, including three goalkeepers.
The tournament's opening match will be between two squads with Cal ties as New Zealand hosts Norway at Eden Park in Auckland. That match will take place at midnight PT on Thursday, July 20th.
Alex Morgan - USA, AKA “USWNT” (Group E)
Age: 34
Position: Forward
Caps: 206
International Goals: 121 goals, 7th All-Time
Current Pro Team: San Diego Wave (USA)
At Cal: 2007-2010, played as a forward, 45 goals (3rd all-time at Cal) in just 67 matches where she missed matches due to being called up to the USWNT.
World Cup and Olympic History: Played in the 2011, 2015, and 2019 World Cups as well as the 2012, 2016, and 2020 (2021) Olympic Games. USWNT won the 2015 and 2019 World Cups as well as the 2012 Olympic Gold.
https://twitter.com/CalWSoc/status/1671617183934464003
Easily the most recognizable face at this World Cup, Alex Morgan will lead a very different-looking USWNT squad as a co-captain alongside Lindsay Horan.
The only certainty on the USWNT roster forward rotation, Alex Morgan will play alongside many younger players making their World Cup debut. Injuries have robbed this World Cup opportunity from Mallory (Pugh) Swanson (very briefly affiliated with UCLA but never played a match) and Catarina Macario (two-time NCAA champion at Stanford). Instead, other forwards on the 23-person USWNT are Sophia Smith (Stanford, turned pro after two seasons), Trinity Rodman (Washington State, but did not play a match due to COVID), Alyssa Thompson (an 18-year old who turned pro without college), and the USWNT friendlies veteran Lynn Williams (Pepperdine). All of them are making their World Cup debuts. Also in the mix on the roster is Megan Rapinoe, who is expected to be in more of a bench role and has already announced her retirement at the end of this NWSL season.
While one can easily see Alex Morgan being a part of the next World Cup as a veteran presence, 2023 could be the last one where she will be in the mix as the top player of the tournament. With Carli Lloyd retired and Rapinoe not expected to be on the field much, Morgan should be the main penalty shot taker for USWNT. At the 2019 World Cup, Morgan tied Rapinoe with tournament-high 6 goals with the latter earning numerous from the penalty spot. Morgan should be the top goalscorer for USWNT and likely the entire tournament this year.
Although the World Cup is nothing new for Alex Morgan, this one will be extra special for her since it would be the first one for her as a mother. Morgan gave birth to her daughter Charlie in May 2020. Her daughter Charlie has followed her on the pitch regularly in NWSL and will also make the trip to New Zealand/Australia as FIFA has finally yielded to be more mother-friendly. Alex Morgan has talked repeatedly about being a role model to working mothers in the interviews leading up to the tournament. Morgan is one of three mothers on USWNT along with Julie Ertz and Crystal Dunn.
Of course, Alex Morgan has been the focus of the Women’s World Cup promotion leading up to the tournament. A six-meter, 825-pound 3D printed statue dubbed “Liberty Alex” has been making a tour. After being at the MLB All-Star Game in Seattle, the statue can currently be seen in New York City. Alex Morgan is portrayed as the Statue of Liberty but holding the Women’s World Cup trophy in her right hand instead of the torch and a soccer ball in her left hand instead of the book.
https://twitter.com/alexmorgan13/status/1674099752450007040
The statue was unveiled at the USWNT press event in Carson, California in late June.
Netflix has already announced a fall premiere for a documentary that they are making of USWNT at this World Cup.
Despite all of the changes on the roster, the USA is still considered the favorite to win this tournament. However, just like what we saw in the Olympics where women’s soccer teams often have the same rosters as the World Cup unlike the case for men’s soccer, USWNT could be vulnerable in the knockout stage.
USWNT also has a new manager since their last World Cup triumph as Vlatko Andonovski has taken over for Jill Ellis. The squad will also have a lot of newcomers in midfield and defense.
Nonetheless, the USA should easily advance to the knockout stage, playing in a group with two nations making their World Cup debut in Vietnam and Portugal.
USA Schedule
All times are in Pacific Time
Friday, July 21st, 6:00 PM PT: USA vs. Vietnam
Wednesday, July 26th, 6:00 PM PT: USA vs. Netherlands
Tuesday, August 1st, 12:00 AM PT: USA vs. Portugal
Ifeoma Onumonu - Nigeria AKA “The Super Falcons” (Group B)
Age: 29
Position: Forward
Caps: 14
International Goals: 4
Current Pro Team: NJ/NY Gotham FC (USA)
At Cal: 2012-16, played as a forward, 33 goals in 82 matches. Earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2012.
World Cup and Olympic History: Debut
https://twitter.com/CalWSoc/status/1671617183934464003
Born and grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, Ifeoma Onumonu played on the USWNT U-23 team. Since both of her parents are from Nigeria, the Nigeria head coach Randy Waldrum called to get her on the team. She made her debut for Nigeria in June 2021 and helped Nigeria to qualify for the World Cup by first qualifying and then placing in the top-4 of the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Onumonu provided the game-winning and World Cup berth-clinching assist to a 1-0 win over Cameroon
Ify Onumonu had bounced around the NWSL since being the 8th overall pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. She might have finally found a permanent home with NJ/NY Gotham FC after joining the squad in 2020. Last Fall, Onumonu signed a three-year deal with Gotham through the 2025 season.
The Athletic did a story on Onumonu leading up to the World Cup.
“African soccer is tough,” she said. “People would be surprised (that they’re) some of the toughest games I played. So I definitely had to learn some resiliency through that process.”
Post-tournament, she no longer constantly feels the need to prove herself. Relying on her past NWSL success and recent international experience will be important for Onumonu as she goes into the 2023 NWSL season. Following a challenging, last-place finish with Gotham in 2022, Onumonu signed a three-year contract extension and is ready for preseason and what’s to come in 2023.
“It’s a very, very busy year, a very exciting year,” she said, laughing. “I’m definitely taking this time to sort of try to stay present and take it step by step. Right now I’m focused on preseason and I’m focused on getting started with Gotham.”
While Nigeria is one of the few countries to qualify for every Women’s World Cup, this squad may not have the cohesion of many other teams. Nigeria also got a very tough draw to be in a group with co-host Australia and reigning Olympic Gold medalist Canada. Ireland, another country making their World Cup debut, rounds out the group.
As a striker, Onumonu can certainly earn some spotlight for scoring goals, particularly against high-profile opponents like Australia and Canada. Onumonu should get the starting nod for the Super Falcons.
Nigeria Schedule
All times are in Pacific Time
Thursday, July 20th, 7:30 PM PT: Nigeria vs. Canada
Thursday, July 27th, 3:00 AM PT: Nigeria vs. Australia
Monday, July 31st, 3:00 AM PT: Nigeria vs. Ireland
Betsy Hassett - New Zealand AKA “The Football Ferns” (Group A)
Age: 32
Position: Midfielder
Caps: 145
International Goals: 13
Current Pro Team: Wellington Phoenix (New Zealand)
At Cal: 2009-2012, played as a midfielder, 7 goals in 64 matches
World Cup and Olympic History: Debut for the New Zealand national when she was at Cal. Played in the 2011, 2015, and 2019 World Cups as well as the 2012, 2016, and 2020 (2021) Olympic Games.
https://twitter.com/CalWSoc/status/1674869602394996737
Cal fans who casually glance at my Olympic posts will be familiar with Betsy Hassett’s name. The midfielder has been a regular on The Football Ferns for a dozen years.
Daisy Cleverley - New Zealand AKA “The Football Ferns” (Group A)
Age: 26
Position: Midfielder
Caps: 31
International Goals: 2
Current Pro Team: HB Koge (Denmark)
At Cal: 2017-2019, played as a midfielder, 1 goal and 3 assists in 50 matches. She graduate-transferred to Georgetown and played there in 2020.
World Cup and Olympic History: Member of the New Zealand national team at the 2015 and 2019 Women's World Cup but did not see any game action. She became a 2020 Tokyo "Calympian" after being an alternate at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
https://twitter.com/CalWSoc/status/1674869602394996737
As I noted above, Cleverley has yet to log even a minute in World Cup action despite being on the roster for the last two. Her first appearance will likely be as a substitute, however, as that was her role in the friendlies leading up to the tournament.
In international friendlies this year, Hassett has been used regularly as a starter while Cleverley has only seen action as a sub, including directly for Hassett in a match.
As a co-host, New Zealand may ride the home-field advantage into the knockout stage. However, offensive futility has defined The Football Ferns in major international tournaments in recent history. Their 2023 results have also looked spotty with just 3 goals and conceding 22 goals in 9 matches. Along with Norway (more on them next), New Zealand has a plausible path to the knockout stage with the Philippines (making their debut) and a good-but-not-great Switzerland (ranked 20th). Their next win in the World Cup will be the nation’s first in history (0W-3D-12L).
The New Zealand vs. Norway match will kick off the entire tournament, but that Philippines match could be historic.
New Zealand Schedule
All times are in Pacific Time
Thursday, July 20th, 12:00 AM PT: New Zealand vs. Norway
Monday, July 24th, 10:30 PM PT: New Zealand vs. Philippines
Sunday, July 30th, 12:00 AM: New Zealand vs. Switzerland
Guro Bergsvand - Norway, AKA “Gresshoppene”1 or “The Football Girls”2 (Group A)
Age: 29
Position: Defender
Caps: 22
International Goals: 4
Current Pro Team: Brighton & Hove Albion (England)
At Cal: 2014-17, played as a defensive midfielder, 4 goals in 45 matches. She missed the entire junior season (2016) due to injury.
World Cup and Olympic History: Debut, she made her Norwegian national team debut relatively recently in 2021
https://twitter.com/CalWSoc/status/1671617183934464003
Guro Bergsvand is the daughter of a footballer although his father Jo only played in one match with the Norway national team. She majored in Media Studies at Cal and her Wikipedia page says that she also worked as a marketing consultant.
As a defender, Guro Bergsvand does not often show up in the boxscore, but the Norwegian native has earned caps in the French Tournoi de France tournament in February of 2023 but missed the two friendlies in April.
The eagle-eyed readers may have noticed the star on Bergsvand’s Norwegian kit. Norway won the second Women’s World Cup but has fallen to mediocrity since. They should qualify for the knockout stage, however, if not win Group A outright.
Norway had a disappointing Euro 2022 that saw a change in the head coaching position. One of Bergsvand’s few international goals came against New Zealand in the leadup to Euro 2022. The recent results for Norway have not been great, but they may gain some momentum against a soft group stage schedule to be dangerous in the knockout stage.
Norway Schedule
All times are in Pacific Time
Thursday, July 20th, 12:00 AM PT: Norway vs. New Zealand
Tuesday, July 25th, 1:00 AM PT: Norway vs. Switzerland
Sunday, July 30th, 12:00 AM: Norway vs. Philippines
GO BEARS!
The Grasshoppers according to Wikipedia
According to ESPN
Now that we got Nike back, can we get an Alex Morgan throwback jersey? Got married in Portland (go Thorns!). Raising kids in San Diego (let’s go Wave!). But would love to go old school with, you know, the school. Go Bears!
Alex Morgan has grown from a Baby Horse to an iconic figure. What a journey.