Alex Morgan: Growing Star Will Flourish in Team USA Starting Role

Alex Morgan is going to flourish as a starter for the Team USA women's soccer team for a very long time.

You might as well lock her up, chalk her in and expect her to be out there. Barring injury or needed rest, it's safe to say Morgan is a full-on starter now.

If you remember back to the World Cup run, Morgan became known as the super-sub with her energy and playmaking ability when coming off the bench for the U.S. in the second half.

Her production was huge, and it was obviously noticed by head coach Pia Sundhage.

She flourished in that role, and Sundhage expects her to excel as a starter as well, according to quotes via the Associated Press on USAToday.com:

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"During the World Cup she helped the team tremendously coming off the bench. She will help this team being on the field for 90 minutes for many games, I think," Sundhage said. "For young players, there will be ups and downs, but her speed and her technique is better than a year ago, and she's a goal scorer, that's for sure."

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This was a great move by Sundhage, and I firmly believe the young rising star will be an incredible asset as a starter.

Morgan's becoming the new face of the team, along with goalie Hope Solo, and the more opportunities she gets the better she becomes.

She's got blazing speed, incredible passing and a playmaking ability that only the greats possess. It makes too much sense to have her out there for the full game, and frankly, it's about time this change was made.

Team USA's future is bright with her in the starting lineup, and she's going to give fits to opposing defenses for the full 90 minutes.

Morgan is the real deal, folks.