USWNT striker Alex Morgan didn’t want to complain too much about a 3-0 victory in the opening game of the Concacaf W Championship, especially not when she scored two of the goals.
But also she chose to be honest.
“I think we can be a little cleaner,” she told CBS Sports following the team’s opening win over Haiti in the event at Monterrey, Mexico, that serves as a qualifier for both the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympics.
Even Morgan could improve despite recording a brace in this game, but she fared better than her teammates when it came time to grade individual performances among the USWNT.
MORE: Three red flags from USWNT's opening win in W Championship
USWNT player ratings vs. Haiti
Casey Murphy (goalkeeper): 8
It wasn’t a busy night for Murphy, but preserving a shutout when she had to snuff out one attempt on a point-blank shot from Haiti’s best forward and also faced a penalty kick was mighty impressive, especially in her first for-keeps international competition. Indeed, she guessed wrong on Roselord Borgella’s penalty attempt, and it was Borgella’s fault for slamming the shot off the left post. But any penalty that doesn’t go in the net is a victory for the 'keeper.
Kelley O’Hara (right back): 6
O’Hara remains excellent at crossing the ball, whether it’s from the sideline or in tighter. Her curling pass after a corner kick was deflected outside the area was a perfect assist for the second goal by Alex Morgan. But too much of Haiti’s threat rolled down the right sideline. O’Hara took a cleat to both her shoulder and ribs that should have resulted in a red card for Borgella, but the ref curiously changed the card to a yellow after video review.
Alana Cook (central defender): 4
In the 33rd minute, Cook failed to anticipate pressure from Haiti and played a too-soft pass that could have been problematic. Four minutes later, she gambled upfield and allowed Haiti’s dangerous Melchie Dumornay to get behind her, which ultimately forced Murphy to make that tough save.
Becky Sauerbrunn (central defender): 4
Sauerbrunn was put in a tough spot when Dumornay got by Cook in the 37th minute but still handled it poorly. And she was smoked again later. This could have been a 2-2 draw with better finishing from the Haitians.
Emily Fox (left back): 4
She committed the penalty rushing to cover for Sauerbrunn. Defensive partners are going to make mistakes, but they can’t be compounded with wild tackles like the one Fox delivered. In attack, she made a threatening move through the center of the field in the 67th minute, but without a target in the area she gave up on advancing the ball on the dribble. That decision led to a turnover that could have been problematic.
Andi Sullivan (defensive mid): 3
Sullivan’s best contribution was a beautiful pass from inside the attacking half that could have led to a goal if not for an offside ruling. But she’s out there to break up opposing attacks. That did not happen. At all.
Lindsey Horan (attacking mid): 5
She wasn’t bad. She just wasn’t good. She probably should have been granted a penalty when she was tackled on a corner kick inside the first 10 minutes, but after that, her contributions were few.
Rose Lavelle (attacking mid): 6
She made one of the best defensive plays by any field player when she dropped deep in the 19th minute to disarm an early Haiti attack. There were several sweet passes that might have been turned into something, but none of them came to fruition.
Sophia Smith (forward): 4
Smith left the game early with a possible injury after posing little threat save for a lovely cross that Morgan headed off the crossbar in the 11th minute.
Mallory Pugh (forward): 7
Pugh worked nicely with Morgan, including a pass to Morgan inside the box that was flicked with a back heel and past the 'keeper for the opening (and ultimately game-winning) goal. Pugh executed a beautiful header forward that set up Morgan for what could have been her third goal. But when she got her own chance off a blunder by the Haitian keeper in the second half, Pugh fired it right back at her.
Alex Morgan (striker): 9
We’ll take one point away for not staying onside on the goal that should have been her hat trick. Both of the goals she did score were beauties, and the one that was disallowed and the header that banged off the crossbar contained expert technique. Right now, she’s the best argument in favor of the Americans winning this tournament.
USWNT substitutes
Midge Purce (forward, 46th min.): 7
She scored a goal, had another withdrawn on an offside call against a teammate, and fought hard when multiple defenders converged against her on the right sideline. There still ought to be more precision from her on the ball.
Ashley Sanchez (attacking mid, 59th min.): 6
Sanchez again was involved in multiple scoring opportunities. She mangled one of those by ceasing its momentum and was fortunate it was recovered and still turned into a late goal.
Kristie Mewis (center mid, 68th min.): 6
It was Mewis who picked up the opportunity that Sanchez had interrupted and fired a pass toward Purce, who took a shade long to cut loose her shot but got it on target for a 3-0 lead. It was Mewis's third career assist.
Sofia Huerta (right back, 68th min.): 6
Wasn’t asked to do a ton.
Megan Rapinoe (forward, 74th min.): 6
Rapinoe’s touch let her down on what could have been a goal for Purce, but she recovered and sent a dazzling pass across the front of goal that Purce knocked in. The play was ruled offside, but it was another reminder what Rapinoe can offer when the Americans need a late score.