Alex Morgan: 5 Things You Need to Know About Team USA Reserve

Alex Morgan is hot. Get your mind out of the gutter—I'm talking about her stardom. Although I won't argue with you if contend the other meaning of that phrase.

She is one of the bright young stars on the U.S. Women's 2011 World Cup team. She is one of the bright young stars in the world of women's soccer period. 

She had been keeping a semi low profile in the 2011 World Cup. Well, as low a profile as a member of this captivating squad could keep anyway. Morgan is a dynamic goal scorer, but she had been held scoreless in this World Cup.

That all changed in the U.S. victorious 3-1 semifinal win over France on Wednesday. Morgan added the insurance with a third goal on a deft touch over the keeper on a breakaway look. And it wasn't just that goal. She was close to adding more.

Morgan spent the game's final 20 minutes applying the pressure to France. And now she has pushed herself from the verge and into stardom. Her talent is off the charts, and her looks aren't far behind. So join me as we get to know Alex Morgan.

The Golden Bear

Alex Morgan dominated college soccer while playing four years for the California Golden Bears. She made her mark immediately. Morgan was the Bears leading scorer as a freshman in 2007.

And she didn't slow up from there. Despite splitting her time between Cal and the U.S. national team she led Cal in scoring as a Sophomore.

Morgan continued to split time between the two teams, and while helping the U.S. women qualify for the 2011 World Cup she was only able to play 12 games for Cal. Despite the many absences she ended he career tied for the third all-time in California history with 45 goals and in sole possession of third place in terms of points at 107.

Morgan also proved she wasn't just talented on the pitch, but in the classroom as well. Just getting into Cal is a pretty good sign that when it comes to learning a person is no slouch, but ever the overachiever Morgan was named to the 2010 CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District team. She also graduated a full semester early.

And with the First Overall Selection....

Alex Morgan's prodigious talent is undeniable and unmistakable. It made her the first overall selection in the 2011 WPS draft and found her landing on the expansion Western New York Flash.

Being selected first in any draft is quite an honor, but Alex was so busy she hardly had time to notice. She was flying to China with the women's national team at the time of the draft. WPS.com asked her how she found out about being selected No.1. Morgan: 

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"I actually heard that I was officially going to Western New York through twitter! The team landed in Beijing for a layover and both me and Kling [Meghan Klingenberg] found out then."

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And just because she wasn't able to follow the draft it doesn't mean she hadn't been following the Flash. Morgan:

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"For the past few months I've kept up with the signings in Western New York and it’s really a great team they've put together. Aaron [Lines] seems like he's put tremendous effort into building this team and it’s been exciting to watch the pieces come together, even before I knew I was drafted there. Many of my teammates have so much experience internationally and from the past two years in WPS; it can only help this team grow faster and come together more easily even though we are the only expansion team in the league this year."

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Alex Is Intent on Giving Birth to a Brighter Future for American Soccer

This headline may be misleading. I have no idea, but I am left to assume that since Alex Morgan's longtime boyfriend is midfielder Servando Carrasco of the Seattle Sounders that she is intent on breeding the greatest American soccer player ever.

The couple began dating while both attending Cal. Here is Morgan on the transition from going to attending the same college to playing on opposite sides of the country in this SoundersFC.com article:

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

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Carrasco added his own thoughts in the same article: 

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"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."

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Alex Morgan Is Gullible and a Sore Loser

The title isn't from my opinion it comes from Morgan herself and her boyfriend. Here is Carrasco from the previously linked SoundersFC.com article:

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"We can’t play Monopoly or any other board games because she hates to lose. We stay away from things like that. It’s better for our relationship and for our future.”

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Morgan admits that Carrasco's playfulness brings out what may be the only thing she fails at. And that is seeing through BS statements. Morgan:

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"You have to get used to his sarcasm. That keeps me on my toes because I am gullible. He plays with that and that’s not fair, but I’ve learned to stay on my toes around him."

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For most people, being gullible and a sore loser is potential for a pair of unattractive qualities, but for Morgan it just seems adorable. And it is certainly no surprise that someone so used to succeeding and driven to succeed at such a high level is a sore loser.

Alex Morgan Makes a Wicked Pussycat

Apparently going for the short blonde look didn't do enough to disguise Alex Morgan's identity. She had to add the pussycat motif, too.

It is probably more likely that there was some kind of feline-themed college party that this trio was attending. Or perhaps they just got into the cat-nip.

There is also the always possible answer that this is what happens to Alex after spending an evening with her uncle. You probably know him. His name is Captain.