Alex Morgan Went From Being Virtually Unknown to One of the Faces of the US National Team

Prior to the 2011 Women's World Cup, Hope Solo had captivated the hearts of the majority of the fans of the United States. She's edgy, attractive and independent, not to mention, she's a world class goalkeeper.

As casual spectators started to tune into the 2011 Women's World Cup, they started to take notice to No. 13. Who is that girl? Why do I not know who she is.

No. 13 is Alex Morgan, a forward who just turned 22 earlier this July. Fans who follow the Women's National team closely, Morgan's emergence in this Women's World Cup comes as no surprise.

She's been tearing up international play for the US, even berthing them to this year's Women's World Cup.

Morgan's young, strikingly flawless appearance captivated America. Here Morgan was in her first ever Women's World Cup and she had already become one of the most recognizable figures on the Women's National Team, after being virtually unknown.

Luckily for those left drooling over the 22-year-old phenom, she will likely become the next legendary figure in Women's Soccer. There is no telling how far her potential will carry her. She has incredible speed and a great ability to finish.

When Solo and Abby Wambach are no longer with the team, it's going to be up to Morgan to carry on the legacy. She's as talented at soccer as she is good looking, which makes her the total package.

She will undoubtedly bestow marketing magic for whatever companies elect to pick her up.

While Morgan made the entire country fall in love with her, she's taken by Seattle Sounder's Servando Carrasco. Of all the celebrity relationships the general public is hoping to see end, this one could be at the forefront.

As it stands, Morgan remains tied down. It comes as no surprise that the best looking and one of the most talented players on the US National team (who has a Cal education to boot) doesn't have any problems finding suitors.

While Solo is still one of the biggest heartthrobs of the US National team, she clearly passed the torch to Morgan during the 2011 Women's World Cup.

READ MORE: Five Things You Need to Know About Alex Morgan

--Kyle Vassalo

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Hope Solo May Appear on Dancing With The Stars

Hope Solo has become an instant celebrity upon her return from Germany after the United States run through the 2011 World Cup.

The team came up just short as they lost to Japan in penalty kicks. According to Yahoo Sports, rumor has it that professional dance Maksim Chmerkovskiy has his eye on Hope Solo as his next dance partner for the 13th season of the show.

However, don't be so certain Solo is going to accept the invite.  Solo had this to say when she was asked about joining Dancing With The Stars,

I can kick in high heels, but I can't dance in high heels. If he wants to win the whole thing, he doesn't want me for a partner!

I'm an athlete - that doesn't mean I know how to groove. I have no musical talent. I can't sing, I can't play music and I can't dance.

Maybe she can't dance but there is no doubt she would become an instant fan favorite if she were on the show.

Solo always thought her destiny was to win the FIFA World Cup, but maybe she was wrong. Maybe she was meant to win Dancing With The Stars?

If Solo does receive a formal invite, a decision will likely be coming in the near future, so be sure to stay tuned.

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Alex Morgan Has Become a Star in a Matter of Weeks

Alex Morgan likely would have never thought she would be the center of all of this attention when she left for Germany, especially had she known the team wouldn't bring back the Cup.

However, since she has returned she has been bombarded by fans and has made multiple appearances around the country.  She was in the ESPN studios to introduce SportsNation with Hope Solo and she also appeared on the red carpet for the premier of Entourage with Solo

The past couple of days have been crazy busy for the star since returning from Germany, but she now must take the field again as her team, the Western New York Flash will take on Abby Wambach's team the Magicjack tonight at 7:30 PM EST.

Morgan has not announced whether or not she will start, come off the bench, or not play at all tonight.  On the other hand, Wambach has stated that she won't be playing this evening. Hope Solo, another member of the Magicjack, won't be playing either and she will not be in attendance for the match. Megan Rapinoe is expected to play in the match.

Morgan's stardom will only rise as she gets older and she certainly has the potential to become the next Mia Hamm of US Soccer.  Only time will tell, but Morgan is certainly embracing her new role as one of the faces of Team USA.

READ MORE: Five Things You Need to Know About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan and Hope Solo Fail to Introduce SportsNation

Hope Solo and Alex Morgan were presented with the task of introducing SportsNation from ESPN Headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut.

The two stars have been all over the country the past few days including the Late Show with David Letterman and the premier of Entourage.

The US Women's National Team have become celebrities after their run to the World Cup Finals and stunning victory over Brazil in the quarterfinals.

They have captured the hearts of Americans everywhere, but that didn't help them in introducing SportsNation.

Maybe they knew they would mess up since they were quick to point out that they haven't slept in 48 hours. Either way, it is pretty cool for these girls to be considered such celebrities and to bring so much excitement to the women's game.

Maybe this excitement and media coverage around them will help boost the women's game to national coverage and help them to get a TV deal that would keep them afloat for a few more years.

READ MORE: Five Things You Need to Know About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, Hope Solo Make Appearance at Premier of Entourage

Alex Morgan and Hope Solo, two of the most attractive players on the US Women's Soccer Team, made another public appearance as celebrities at the premier of Entourage.

Since the team has returned from Germany they have become instant celebrities.  No one would have expected them to be this famous when they originally left for Germany, but their stunning victory over Brazil and run to the Finals captured the hearts of Americans and fans from around the world.

Now that they have returned they are getting the recognition they deserve.  Solo and Abby Wambach went to New York City to appear on The Late Show with David Letterman, and other players have also made public appearances since their return.

Morgan, Wambach, and Solo appear to be the three players who are capitalizing most thanks to their performances in the World Cup.

It seems the women are having fun since their return and I'm sure they had tons of fun hanging out with Turtle, who wouldn't?

READ MORE: Five Things You Need to Know About Alex Morgan

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USA Women's Soccer Has to Recover from Their Devastating World Cup Loss

Losses have a nasty way of permeating in the mind. Little missed chance jump into consciousness at the oddest times, and the pain of opportunity missed can cut like a knife. And while the U.S. women's soccer team just went on a thrilling World Cup ride filled with unmatched highs, they just bought a lifetime worth of memories like this.

I could see the difficulties in reconciling this loss on the faces of Megan Rapinoe and Heather O'Reilly as they sat down on SportsCenter with Bob Ley after the match. They seemed fulfilled yet completely disheartened at the same time. 

When Ley asked Rapinoe what their coach, Pia Sundhage, had to say to the team following the loss, Rapinoe said the coaches message was positive and simple, "Keep you head's up."  

Rapinoe then touched on what must feel so odd about this tournament. The U.S. played  great. As Rapinoe said, "it was probably the best game we played all tournament." In the end, that fact—while it could be a source of pride—will likely make the loss an even harder pill to swallow.

Abby Wambach lent us all a little insight into her thoughts and feelings as the team touched back down in America. Wambach from sfgate.com:

"Really humbling, and truthfully it's probably brought my spirits up more than anything else could have. I am so disappointed for my teammates, myself. I am so disappointed for our country because I really feel like we had it. It was so close."

She certainly isn't the only one having a hard time shaking the loss. I mean, I am having a hard time shaking it, and all I did was watch from my couch—I can't imagine what these players must be going through.

One thing they do have going for them is that there is a lot in front of them. Hope Solo for one is trying to use that. Solo:

"I am hoping I get out of my funk in a little bit because we have Olympic qualifications. I am taking it pretty hard right now."

Ah yes, the Olympics. Luckily for these women they don't have to wait for years to take out their World Cup frustrations. It is always nice to get back to work on a goal of glory after coming up just short. A little gold hanging from the neck should be a decent remedy for unspeakable disappointment.

READ MORE: Five Things You Need to Know About Alex Morgan

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USA Women's Soccer Has a Bright Future to Help Pull Them From Their World Cup Funk

The U.S. women's soccer team put on one hell of a show at the 2011 Women's World Cup, but unfortunately they came up just short of their ultimate goal of a World Cup championship. And while there is plenty of reasons for these women to be optimistic about the future and keep their heads high over their recent performance, it is still clear their most recent loss stings.

Abby Wambach lent us all a little insight as the team touched back down in America. Wambach:

"Really humbling, and truthfully it's probably brought my spirits up more than anything else could have. I am so disappointed for my teammates, myself. I am so disappointed for our country because I really feel like we had it. It was so close."

She certainly isn't the only one having a hard time shaking the loss. I mean, I am having a hard time shaking it, and all I did was watch from my couch—I can't imagine what these players must be going through.

One thing they do have going for them is that there is a lot in front of them. Hope Solo for one is trying to use that. Solo:

"I am hoping I get out of my funk in a little bit because we have Olympic qualifications. I am taking it pretty hard right now."

As for those qualifications and the ensuing Olympics this team should be ready to defend its Gold Medal. Most of the team will remain intact through the Olympics. Christy Rampone is 36 and Shannon Boxx is 34. They have both expressed that they will play in the Olympics and likely to retire after that.

Wambach is on board for the Olympic run, too. But at 31, her career may not extend far beyond that. The rest of the team is fairly young, and—as we saw at the World Cup—there is tremendous talent waiting in the wings to replace the aging palyers.

Alex Morgan Morgan and Lauren Cheney are just 22, and each finished the tournament with two goals. Megan Rapinoe is 26, and one of the biggest catalysts for coach Pia Sundhage's possession-based offense.

And at 29, Hope Solo is in the prime of her career. So when these women do start to put the past behind them they will have a bright future to focus on.

READ MORE: Five Things You Need to Know About Alex Morgan

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USA Women's Soccer has Taken the Nation by Storm

The U.S. women's soccer captured the minds of a nation with their captivating play in the 2011 Women's World Cup. Their pull on our collectively limited and short attention span began when the U.S. women snatched a victory from the jaws of defeat against Brazil in the quarterfinals.

It was an improbably and unbelievable win. It came in the last moment, after the ref seem to spend the match unfairly persecuting the U.S. and they had to end the game playing a player down. In other words, the match had everything Americans are looking to identify with.

The victory not only allowed us to celebrate this team, but the American Spirit. And while the U.S. women fell just short of their ultimate goal of winning the World Cup, they still resonate in the American psyche. And none more so than American goalkeeper, Hope Solo.

As a testament to her star power, Solo will be gracing the cover of the next Sports Illustrated solo. Here is SI on their choice:

The U.S. had just lost one of the greatest games ever played, and the emotions of that are complicated. And it’s reflected in the cover shot of Hope Solo, a nuanced mix of sadness and courage. She is looking back, thinking what might have been, but she is also looking to the future.

Solo will be the first Women's soccer player to grace the cover since Mia Hamm did eight years ago. The title of the cover is "Heart and Heartbreak" and it is easy to see how they came up with the apt choice.

Of course, the heart and heartbreak story is not Hope Solo's alone. And the issue will include thoughts from other players. Like the following excerpt containing this quote from Midfielder Carli Lloyd:

I’m kind of in shock. I had no doubt [about winning].  When we went up a goal in regulation time, I’m like O.K., we’ve got 10 more minutes I knew we’d close it out. Then we score in overtime and I’m like O.K, we’ve got five minutes left. Then they equalize again.  Even when we were stepping up taking penalty kicks, we’re like, We’ve got this. Maybe it just wasn’t our time.

Maybe the World Cup wasn't their time, but—as this cover proves—this may be exactly their time. These women are stars and the public is hungry for more.

READ MORE: Five Things You Need to Know About Alex Morgan

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Let me start my coming right out at the top of this update and saying that I am completely in love with Alex Morgan.

Next, let me come out and say that I am completely jealous of her boyfriend, Servando Carrasco.

Now that we have gotten that out of the way, it’s time to proceed with the update.

Seriously though, Morgan captured the hearts of USA Women’s soccer fans with her energy off the bench, speed and her clutch play in both the semi-final and finals of the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Simply put, Morgan is going to be a star in the world of women’s soccer.

Unfortunately for her though, the following doesn’t seem to be too dense.

Fortunately for her, she is also extremely good looking and has captured the hearts of many men in the United States, and I’m sure internationally.

Unfortunately for all of us though, she is taken.

Fortunately for her, she seems to have a good guy in Seattle Sounders rookie midfielder Servando Carrasco.

Matt Gaschk of SoundersFC.com explains more about their relationship:

The college sweethearts from Cal have used their similar experiences to strengthen their relationship, even when they are the full width of the country apart.

“We spent almost four years in college together and we knew this was coming. We were prepared for it,” said Morgan. “We are both trying to live our dreams as professional athletes. We know each other’s schedules and we respect that.”

Carrasco added, “I think that’s one of the reasons why our transition from college to pro soccer has been easy for our relationship. We’re in the same lifestyle and we’re able to talk every now and then, so it’s good.”

I guess we can all be happy for Alex Morgan, because it seems like she has a good thing going for her relationally.

As far as soccer is concerned I think we may have just seen the beginning of Morgan’s career. She came though as a dominant player at the end of the World Cup run, and with her being so young I think we are going to be talking about Alex Morgan the soccer player for a very long time.

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This is quite simply a stunning report that I would love to give you my commentary on, but in order to do so you have to check out what Rich Thomaselli of Advertising Age, and Bleacher Report may I add, has to say:

The U.S. women's soccer team might have just left $10 million in endorsements on the table after Sunday's shocking loss to Japan in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.

He then goes on to explain that the loss actually hurt the American Women’s teams’ marketability:

Star forward Abby Wambach and goalie Hope Solo were likely the biggest endorsement losers. Both players were looking at $3 million to $4 million a year in marketing deals -- a modest sum predicted by sports marketing experts but still a decent amount for a sport that has had trouble sustaining roots with the American public. The experts said another $2 million could collectively be brought in by remainder of the team.

"Yeah, the defeat cost the U.S. women some heavy endorsement dollars, but I don't think it's a total loss," said Bob Dorfman, exec VP-executive creative director at San Francisco-based Baker Street Partners and an expert in sports marketing. "The final was an epic match, it likely drew a huge audience, and it made household names of Wambach, Solo and [Alex] Morgan."

Now, this could literally be analyzed for days and hours.

The business and marketing end of it is absolutely fascinating. The simple fact that getting as far as they did wasn’t enough to capture the endorsements is stunning to me.

First, I think this goes to show that sports, and life, is indeed all about the bottom line.

The bottom line in sports is winning. I think that is a concept that we have sometimes forgotten about, especially in recent youth leagues, but it is also a concept that makes sports so unique and beautiful.

Second of all though, I think it’s incredibly interesting to realize that even though the U.S women’s team did capture our attention, and TV ratings mind you, just getting there wasn’t enough for the guys in the suits and ties that make the decision.

I may be interpreting this wrong so please let me know if you think I am, but even though players like Wambach, Solo and Morgan became so popular, it means nothing as far as marketing goes, because they didn’t win it all.

You can’t market the loveable loser. It’s a cute gig for a while, but nobody wants to eat the cereal or drink the energy drink that the second place finisher drinks!

It’s all about first place. It’s all about the bottom line.

It’s all about winning.

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USA vs. Japan 2011 Results Reveals a Couple of New Truths in the Technological Age

The Women's World Cup final featuring the U.S. vs Japan had the sports world buzzing. How buzzed was the sports world you ask? Well, about 7,196 tweets per second buzzed.

And that 7,196 tweets per second is the new high mark for the number tweets per second that were posted about the match. The record clearly shows that the entire world has gone cukoo for women's soccer, right?

I mean that is more tweets per second than when the news broke that Osama bin Laden had been killed. That news was only greeted with 5,106 per second. It was also higher than the holy grail of sporting events: the Super Bowl. Green Bay's victory over Pittsburgh only drew 4,064 tweets.

So clearly, women's soccer is the bigger than the Super Bowl and seismic political events. Well, let's not go that far. This number is far more indicative of two things. Twitter's growing popularity is the first. In the past two years daily tweets have grown from 10 million to 200 million.

The second item may be the most revealing and that is the fact that Japan appears to be leading the way in Twitter addictions.

The previous record for tweets per second stood at 6,939. That was set on New Year's Day 2011, and more importantly it was just after midnight in Japan on New Year's Day 2011.

Also looking at other soccer tweet numbers we see that Spain's World Cup win over the Netherlands in July 2010 recorded a high of 3,051, and that number came in second for the tournament to the 3,283 tweets per second when Japan beat Denmark in the group stage.

So what does all of this exciting news mean? Very little. Japan has long been viewed as a country that takes pride on being at the technological forefront and communicating in 140 characters or less is currently at the fore of this front.

READ MORE: Five Things You Need to Know About Alex Morgan

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Women's World Cup 2011 Results in New Platform of Stardom for the U.S. Women

Once the U.S. women netted their dramatic and captivating win over Brazil they were launched into the realm of pop culture stardom. Just look at the numbers:

The finals drew an impressive 8.6 overnight rating. Last year's World Series only drew an average 8.4 in overnight ratings. The finals also set an all-time record for number of Tweets per second. There is no doubt these women have money on the table in endorsements and stardom if they choose to accept it.

This is a fleeting spot for anyone, let alone athletes, and especially athletes that only get to shine once every four years.

Here are my ideas for some of the stars:

Alex Morgan: Dancing with the Stars

Morgan is energetic, smart, pretty and has a wonderful smile. She is also tall and fluid, and used to winning. She  would absolutely kill on this show. She would probably win, and even if she didn't she would burn her name and image into the minds of millions of viewers.

Abby Wambach: Shampoo Endorsements

Wambach has the most famous head in the world right now. I can see the commercials now. There would be all kinds of shots of Wambach heading muddy soccer balls and walking off the field a wet mess. She would then step into a shower with a bottle of shampoo and instantly come out with brilliant looking short hair.

Hope Solo: Celebrity Apprentice

Hope Solo is confident, full of swagger and ultra-competitive. She isn't afraid to get into someone's face if she has to. She is also very camera friendly. Much like Alex Morgan on Dancing with the Stars, Solo would dominate this competition.

Pia Sundhage: Bruce Springsteen Impersonator

Have you ever wanted to go see an elder Swedish woman belt out classic Springsteen? Yeah, me either, but Sundhage knows the songs and she already likes to sing them to her team. I am not sure this is going to help make her any money, but I don't the feeling Sundhage much cares what we think about her Springsteen chops.

READ MORE: Five Things You Need to Know About Alex Morgan

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USA vs. Japan 2011 Results in a New Tweets Per Second Record

How fast did the Women's World Cup final featuring the U.S. vs. Japan generate 10,000 tweets during the game on Sunday? About as fast as you can say 7,196.

7,196 is the high mark for the number tweets per second that were posted about the match. That figure is hard to wrap the brain around. It is also a new tweeting record. 

The previous record stood at 6,939 tweets per second and was set just after midnight in Japan on New Year's Day 2011.

Other high marks include Osama bin Laden's death (5,106 per second) and the Super Bowl in February (4,064).

So clearly, women's soccer is the bigger than the Super Bowl and seismic political events. Not so fast. This number is far more indicative of Twitter's growing popularity. In the past two years daily tweets have grown from 10 million to 200 million. 

In other words, don't count on this record being held for long. In fact, it almost fell on the same day as Paraguay's defeat over Brazil in a Copa America quarterfinal later the same day was on tweeting fire with 7,166 tweets per second.

Still, this number should not be taken lightly. There is no doubt that interest in this game was rampant.

The finals drew an impressive 8.6 overnight rating. And that is a rock solid number. Last year's World Series only drew an average 8.4 in overnight ratings.

The buzz was there, and it was not just in the homes of viewers in the countries of the teams involved. The game was held in Germany, and the fact that Germany was knocked out shockingly early did little to dampen the spirit at the events.

The finals were sold out, and there was no denying the atmosphere. ESPN announce Ian Darke offered this up before the finals kicked off:   

You can almost reach out and touch this atmosphere.

So tweet on that sports world. Women's national soccer is a force to be reckoned with.  

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Women's World Cup 2011 Results Will Be Great for the Game

The 1999 Women's World Cup was a surprisingly huge success in America. Interest in women's soccer was at unprecedented levels as America hosted and won the tournament. And while women's soccer did not explode into a national sport power, it certainly gained its niche and has become a fixture on the pro sports scene. 

The impact was not as big in the rest of the world. The sport is still struggling to gain legitimacy in many places.

When it comes to interest around the world the sport struggles with comparisons to the men's game. FIFA President Sepp Blatter recently commented on this:

You should never compare such matches with those by men, even if it is the same game. There was great atmosphere and it continued even after the Germans were eliminated.

There was no denying the atmosphere. The stadiums were rocking throughout this tournament—even as the host Germany was shockingly eliminated by Japan in the quarterfinals. And the scene at the finals was so intense that it prompted ESPN announce Ian Darke offered this up before the finals kicked off:   

You can almost reach out and touch this atmosphere.

The women's game should only grow around the world from here. There are going to be more nine more teams competing in the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada, and all of these teams are improving. Blatter commented on this as well:

There were no weak teams anymore.

It was an exciting Women's World Cup, and I expect similar results across the globe to the one's we say in America in 1999. This can only mean good things for the future of this sport. This sport is making steady gains. It is foolish to expect any one moment to significantly transform it into a powerhouse, but it is easy to see how results like this build a foundation for future success.

READ MORE: Five Things You Need to Know About Alex Morgan

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Women's World Cup 2011 Results Will Boost the Game Around the World

The ratings for the 2011 Women's World Cup were low and disappointing. Then the U.S. took on Brazil in the quaterfinals, and a lot of people turned in, just under four million, and those four million were treated with one of the more dramatic and thrilling games in recent memory.

Interest in America was certainly raised. People were buzzing with the feats of the American women. And that buzz carried into the finals. Anticipation was high for the U.S. vs Japan final, and the compelling game locked viewers in.

The finals drew an impressive 8.6 overnight rating. And that is a rock solid number. Last year's World Series only drew an average 8.4 in overnight ratings. 

And while the strong ratings would seem to suggest that women's soccer is a force to be reckoned with, keep in mind those still fall far short of the 11.4 rating that the 1999 Women's World Cup final drew.

Still it is easy to see that women's soccer has carved out its place in American sports. But the same cannot be said around the world. And that is where this World Cup may have its biggest success. 

When it comes to interest around the world the sport struggles with comparisons to the men's game. FIFA President Sepp Blatter recently commented on this:

You should never compare such matches with those by men, even if it is the same game. There was great atmosphere and it continued even after the Germans were eliminated.

There was no denying the atmosphere. ESPN announce Ian Darke offered this up before the finals kicked off:   

You can almost reach out and touch this atmosphere.

The women's game should only grow around the world from here. There are going to be more nine more teams competing in the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada, and all of these teams are improving. Blatter commented on this as well:

There were no weak teams anymore.

It was an exciting Women's World Cup, and while I don't expect a huge boost for the game in America, this was a pivotal tournament for the game around the world.

READ MORE: Five Things You Need to Know About Alex Morgan