US didn’t ‘click’ in World Cup opener

Alex Morgan believes her team has a while before they reach their full potential.

Although the U.S. women’s national soccer team defeated Vietnam 3-0 in the opening match for both teams on Friday, the team’s star forward thinks that her squad lacked the patience necessary on offense to be the elite team that they are projected to be.

“I think we saw a lot of glimpses of our potential, but I feel like we weren’t always clicking on the field,” Morgan said during Tuesday’s news conference. “I feel like some of the plays that we had were a little forced or rushed.

“So I think it’s having a little more patience, switching a little bit more, having our movements be a little more synchronized. And so I think we’re looking to apply that for this next game and moving forward.”

The US owned a 28-0 advantage in shots against the overmatched Vietnamese opponents – though only seven of the shots were on goal.

Morgan was one of the culprits as her first-half penalty shot was easily saved.

The Americans weren’t the only team with an underwhelming opening result as France stunningly played to a 0-0 draw against Jamaica.

“There haven’t been many games where teams are able to break through easily against opponents,” Morgan said.

“So we knew that would be the case with Vietnam, but we were trying to be patient. I feel like at times we could have just stood on the ball a little more and kind of been a little more decisive with our play. So I think that’s something we could apply to the next game.”

That next game will be on Wednesday against the Netherlands, a team that has been eliminated by the U.S. in the past two major tournaments, which includes the 2019 Women’s World Cup final.

“We watched the Netherlands the other night, and they have a lot of the same players as we played them in the World Cup four years ago,” Morgan said.

“A little bit [of a] different formation but still the same personnel, and that’s important for team chemistry. So just knowing that we know that we have to be at our best, and we’re doing everything we can at the training field, in the meetings, watching video, doing everything we can. But this is going to be a very big matchup.”