The brightest stars of the United States women’s national soccer team set the tone for their Olympic journey in 2016.
Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan scored in Team USA’s 2-0 win over New Zealand on Wednesday in their opening game of the 2016 Olympic Games. It’s fitting Lloyd’s and Morgan’s names appear on the scoresheet since they are the top two career goal scorers on Team USA’s current roster.
Lloyd opened the scoring in the ninth minute when she headed Tobin Heath’s cross into the Ferns’ goal.
#OneGoal@CarliLloyd scores first for #TeamUSA: https://t.co/B74imgNL78 https://t.co/XbLll8doXy
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2016
The goal was the 89th of Lloyd’s stellar international career, and she’s hot on Abby Wambach’s heels for the U.S. Olympic record.
7 – @CarliLloyd's seven #Olympics goals trail only Abby Wambach (10) in #USWNT history. Chase. #USA #Rio2016
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) August 3, 2016
Morgan doubled Team USA’s lead for good just one minute into the second half. She received Morgan Bryan’s pass, composed herself and shot accureately past goalkeeper Erin Nayler.
.@alexmorgan13 juuuuuust sneaks it through. #TeamUSA. goes up 2-0 against New Zealand! https://t.co/B74imgNL78 https://t.co/5PbyDVnIco
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2016
Morgan now has 68 career goals for the United States and five in her Olympic career.
Team USA will need contributions from all 18 players on its roster, but the biggest names bear more responsibility than the others. This is the right way for a team to start its gold-medal defense.
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Thumbnail photo via John David Mercer/USA TODAY Sports Images