Lindsey Horan gives Alex Morgan birthday gift of USWNT’s second goal (Video)

The forecast called for a high number of goals between the USWNT and England, and Alex Morgan provided the finish to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead in the 31st minute.

Although the USWNT drew first blood in the 10th minute of their semifinals match against England, it only took the Lionesses nine minutes to equalize. Christen Press, who started in Megan Rapinoe’s place due to a possible injury, scored with an early header, but Beth Mead’s cross and Ellen White’s off-ball movement were more than capable of providing England with a much-needed19th-minute goal.

And it didn’t take much longer for the USWNT to take back the lead, as Alex Morgan met a Lindsey Horan cross with her head in the 31st minute.

Horan somewhat surprisingly didn’t start against France, but Jill Ellis didn’t make the mistake of benching the reigning NWSL MVP against England, who are just as dangerous as the host nation. Unsurprisingly, Horan came up big again, as the early goal hero against Sweden sent in a perfect cross for Morgan.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1146140792508960768

Not only did this headed goal come on Morgan’s birthday, but it’s also her sixth goal of the tournament. Just 12 minutes earlier, England striker Ellen White scored her sixth of the World Cup, so the two are now tied for the lead in the Golden Boot race.

With the form Morgan is in, it wouldn’t be a surprise if she scored a couple of more and eventually win the Golden Boot. She’s been great in front of goal and arguably even better at setting up others, as she played a critical role in the USWNT’s first goal against France in the quarterfinals.

England have given the USWNT all they can handle, as expected, so the United States need their superstars like Horan and Morgan to make more decisive plays like this one.