USA Women's Soccer Beats Japan in Friendly Behind Alex Morgan Hat Trick

The United States women's national team defeated Japan 4-2 behind Alex Morgan's hat trick Thursday night in their Tournament of Nations opener at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. 

Mina Tanaka and Moeno Sakaguchi got on the board for Japan, but the United States' aggressive attack, which was fueled by Morgan's finishing ability, was too much for the opposition to handle. 

Megan Rapinoe added a 66th-minute goal for good measure to squash Japan's hopes of mounting a furious second-half rally. 

Alex Morgan Continues to be USWNT's Driving Force

Alex Morgan scored a single goal at the 2015 World Cup, but that number is set to skyrocket in 2019 if Thursday was any indication. 

The 29-year-old opened the win with a composed one-timer in traffic off a smooth feed from Megan Rapinoe, and that was just the start of a productive evening. 

Following the 18th-minute opener, Morgan added a second tally to her ledger in the 26th minute when she dropped a header into the left corner that Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita simply couldn't reach. 

The icing came a half-hour later when Morgan bagged her third goal of the game to give the Red, White and Blue a two-score cushion:  

Thanks to her fourth career hat trick, Morgan now owns 20 career multi-goal games. The only USWNT players with more are Abby Wambach (37) and Mia Hamm (28). 

Given Morgan's prominent place on that illustrious list and her recent run of form, it's only fair to peg her as the engine that will fuel the United States' pursuit of back-to-back world titles. 

Don't expect her to slow down anytime soon. 

USWNT's Continued Dominance of Japan Provides Optimism for Qualifying

Simply put, the U.S. has Japan's number. 

The Stars and Stripes are 6-1-3 against the world's sixth-ranked team since they emerged victorious in the 2015 World Cup final, and they've outscored them 25-12 during that stretch. 

And if that's what the Americans are doing against the world's sixth-ranked team, it stands to reason they'll have no problem cruising through CONCACAF qualifying in October. 

Canada, at No. 5, figures to pose the biggest test to the United States in that regard. However, there aren't many other potent contenders with Mexico (No. 25) and Costa Rica (No. 33) both ranked outside the top 20.  

Clearly a cut above, the U.S. should be feeling quite confident as it continues to prepare for next summer's spectacle in France. 

What's Next? 

The USWNT will prepare for a showdown with Australia on Sunday, while Japan readies itself for a clash with Brazil. Both games will take place at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut.