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Morgan and Swanson captain USWNT to SheBelieves Cup title: 3 takeaways from victory over Brazil

By Caden Charpentier

The United States Womens National Soccer Team celebrates with the trophy following the 2023 SheBelieves Cup soccer match between the United States and Brazil at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on February 22, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
The United States Womens National Soccer Team celebrates with the trophy following the 2023 SheBelieves Cup soccer match between the United States and Brazil at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on February 22, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) /
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FRISCO, TX – FEBRUARY 22: Bia Zaneratto #16 of Brazil is defended by Naomi Girma #12 of the United States during a game between Brazil and USWNT at Toyota Stadium on February 22, 2023 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
FRISCO, TX – FEBRUARY 22: Bia Zaneratto #16 of Brazil is defended by Naomi Girma #12 of the United States during a game between Brazil and USWNT at Toyota Stadium on February 22, 2023 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

Naomi Girma is the first choice center back right now 

There are few players that can come into international play, and look like they have been there for years. Naomi Girma is one of them. It was like she was born to play under the bright lights. The 2022 NWSL Rookie of the Year, and Defender of the Year has earned herself what has to be one of the two starting center-back roles for the USWNT this summer. From her composure to play out of pressure to her pass accuracy as a center-back, the 22-year-old California native is already doing things at a world-class level.

It takes time to move from the club level to the national team, but since her inclusion in April 2022, Girma has started in 12 of the 14 games in which she has played. Alana Cook’s unconvincing game against Japan along with Girma’s “wall-like” presence may have decided who will play alongside captain Becky Sauerbrunn in July and August. At the end of the match, the Brazilians were attempting to equalize, but Girma was having none of it.

Brazil’s persistence was evident. She learned from her mistake just a few minutes ago, leaping high to clear the ball heading toward right for Ludmila’s head. For it split second it looked like the Atletico Madrid attacker was going to even the score. With Girma commanding her box, Brazil was unable to pull off the improbable and come back from two goals down against the No. 1 team in the world. That is the kind of defending that makes Girma such an extraordinary talent. When the team needs a stop, or a clearance in the most in the waning minutes of a match, she is there to clean up the mess.

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