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Alex Morgan Becomes American Hero With Golden Performance at Olympic Games (Photos)

Alex Morgan has risen from a promising young talent to international soccer superstardom in what seems like a blink of an eye.

Growing up in Diamond Bar, Cali., Morgan began making a name for herself at the University of California-Berkeley. The Golden Bears’ leading goal-scorer for each of her four seasons, Morgan managed to handle her collegiate responsibilities while making her breakthrough with the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team.

Her exploits at the U-20 level garnered international recognition from FIFA and — before her amateur career was over — she played a key role the national team’s qualification for the 2011 FIFA World Cup.

After playing the role of “supersub” to great effect at that World Cup, Morgan became a mainstay in the starting lineup for the 2012 Olympic Games. Increased responsibility only served to bring out the best in the young striker, and her performances were fairly rewarded with a gold medal.

At just 23-years-old, Morgan is primed to become the face of women’s soccer — both at home and abroad — for the next decade. We’ve collected an assorted selection of photos of Morgan to pay due respect to America’s next superstar.

Click here to see photos of Alex Morgan >>

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