USWNT match ratings against Thailand: This was Alex Morgan’s night
LW Megan Rapinoe 8.5/10
As always, Megan Rapinoe was dangerous and set up several opportunities for her teammates, even while going up against a very game Warunee Phetwiset, who was easily Thailand’s best player on the pitch. Rapinoe’s skill on the ball is difficult to match, and she provided some dangerous delivers to remind football fans why she’s one of the best crossers in the entire world. The Seattle Reign captain grabbed the USWNT’s ninth goal of the evening, as young star Mallory Pugh set her up with an inviting cross from the right-hand side.
RW Tobin Heath 7/10
This wasn’t the strongest performance from Tobin Heath, who is one of the most skilled wingers in world football. However, even when Heath isn’t at her best as a chance-creator or dribbler, she’s still solid. Heath put in hard work on the right side for the United States attack, and she added one more embarrassed defender to her lengthy collection.
ST Alex Morgan 10/10
A flawless performance from one of the world’s best, each goal Alex Morgan scored was better than the last. Her first came off of perfect positioning, her second came off of a lovely touch with the outside of her left foot from a set piece and her third was a wonderful right-footed effort into the far corner off the turn to complete a perfect hat-trick. Morgan’s fourth was a similarly classy finish, and her fifth was an insane half-volley finish (after some brilliant juggling) into the top left corner to seal the deal.
With that goal, Morgan tied Michelle Akers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup single-game record, and it was a perfect night for one of the best players to ever grace football’s international stage. Morgan’s intelligence, finishing prowess, and link-up play are all at a legendary level, and this is shaping up to be an all-time great tournament for her.
Substitute Christen Press 6.5/10
It’s insane to think that the USWNT can call upon Christen Press, one of the world’s best, off the bench. A pacy forward with elite finishing qualities and an engine that never ends, Press added another dynamic to the attack when she came on. She could have a big say in clutch moments, and this was a very small taste of what she brings to the table as a super sub.
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Substitute Mallory Pugh 7.5/10
Mallory Pugh is one of the most underrated players in the world, and she’d be a star for any other team. There are only a handful of players who are more lethal passers than Pugh, whose hard work on and off the ball won’t go unnoticed when she’s on the field during this tournament. Pugh’s assist for Rapinoe’s goal was impeccable, and the 21-year-old Washington Spirit star also grabbed a goal as a substitute in the 85th minute after rounding the keeper like a veteran striker.
It’s hard to believe that this was Pugh’s first World Cup appearance, but she’s already so talented, composed, and experienced that the bright lights won’t intimidate her for a second. It won’t be a surprise to any diehard USWNT fans if Pugh ends up having a huge say in the tournament’s most defining moments; she was made for the biggest stages imaginable.