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Women’s World Cup 2019 Team of the Tournament

By Kevin Parvizi

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 28: Kadidiatou DIani of France in action during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Quarter Final match between France and USA at Parc des Princes on June 28, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 28: Kadidiatou DIani of France in action during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Quarter Final match between France and USA at Parc des Princes on June 28, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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England’s Ellen White celebrates a goal that is disallowed during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Third Place Play-Off at the Stade de Nice, Nice. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)
England’s Ellen White celebrates a goal that is disallowed during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Third Place Play-Off at the Stade de Nice, Nice. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images) /

ST Alex Morgan, United States

Tied with teammate Megan Rapinoe and England’s Ellen White for the tournament lead with six goals, Alex Morgan scored five of those goals in the United States’ statement-making 13-0 win over Thailand in their first game of the tournament. Morgan was hobbled by an injury that neutralized her in the U.S.’s first knockout stage game against Spain, but she recovered to play a critical role in the team’s 2-1 victory over France, setting up a decisive move that was finished off by Megan Rapinoe.

Though the stats say that Morgan finished with six goals, her most important contributions were her off-ball movement and hold-up play. Morgan has done more grunt work as a forward as she’s gotten more experienced, because that’s what the United States need. There are better strikers in the world, but Morgan may have had the most complete tournament of any forward. Her 1.65 goals (excluding penalties) and assists per 90 minutes were tops in the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

ST Ellen White, England

Though Morgan had an excellent World Cup and was the best striker at creating chances for her teammates, there can be no doubt that Ellen White was the best attacker this year. She was an absolute nuisance for defenders, constantly getting in between the center backs and beating offside traps with ease. Honestly, if it weren’t for two questionable VAR-led decisions, White would be the Golden Boot winner.

Next. 5 things we learned from the Women's World Cup. dark

White is a poacher who is essentially automatic in front of goal, and while she had zero assists on the stat sheet, her movement did open up opportunities for those around her. One of the biggest stars of the World Cup, White has become arguably the deadliest finisher in world football; it will be exciting to see how she does in her first season with Manchester City in 2019.

Honorable Mentions: Sam Kerr (Australia), Cristiane (Brazil), Cristiana Girelli (Italy), Jennifer Hermoso (Spain), Erin Cuthbert (Scotland), Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands)