The U.S. claimed another big trophy while making the path toward this summer's Olympic tournament just a bit clearer.
Back to their winning ways. Not completely, to be fair, but it's a heck of a start. Last year's World Cup disappointment remains on the mind of everyone associated with the U.S. women's national team but, if you were looking for a reason for optimism ahead of this summer's Olympics, this Gold Cup run was it.
It wasn't perfect, not by a long shot. The loss to Mexico showed that this is still a team with flaws that can be exposed by good teams. The response after that, though, showed that this team has the heart and soul to play past those flaws in ways we didn't see Down Under last summer.
By the end, the U.S. hadn't dominated the Gold Cup as much as they'd survived it. There were moments of domination, yes, but those were to be expected. What wasn't expected was how this team responded to the moments of adversity. Physical battles, rain, setbacks, injuries… this tournament threw plenty at the USWNT and, by and large, they didn't flinch.
That'll be the big takeaway from this summer's Gold Cup when it comes to the big picture. This is a team that needs to rediscover itself, and this was a step toward doing that. From a different point of view, though, this was also a tournament that offered a glimpse into which players will be around to do that this summer when the Olympics kick off.
Summer will be here before you know it. The Olympic games are just a blink or two away. The USWNT knows that as well as anyone. Preparation has began, and this round of preparation ended with a trophy that should provide a much-needed lift to a program back on the rise.
GOAL takes a look at the biggest winners and losers from the Gold Cup…
GettyWINNER: Alex Morgan
She's back!
It looked like her USWNT career was in trouble. A testimonial might have been all that was left, which would have been a rough way to say goodbye to a legend. After being left out of the initial Gold Cup roster, it was tough to see a way back for Morgan in time for the Olympics this summer.
However, she has a chance now and after a resurgent Gold Cup, she's certainly back in the mix.
Brought in as an injury replacement, Morgan stepped right into the USWNT XI and showed all of the things she can bring as a No. 9. It's not pure speed and goals like it used to be. No, Morgan's game is a bit more nuanced now and, when used right, it can be effective.
She finished the tournament with two goals for the USWNT, scoring once from the spot and the other being a looping header. More important, though, were the little things she did to drag defenses around and create for those around her.
Will that be enough to get her into the Olympic squad? That's for Emma Hayes to decide. The most Morgan can do is make her case, and she did that during the Gold Cup.
AdvertisementGettyLOSER: Mia Fishel
On the flip side of that Morgan discussion is Mia Fishel, the player that she replaced. How heartbreaking that situation is as Fishel seemed ready to seize a big opportunity this spring.
With Morgan not originally called in, it seemed Fishel was going to get the chance to show why she's the USWNT striker of the future. Sophia Smith was in camp too, of course, and seemed set to take a chunk of minutes centrally, but one of the more exciting experiments seemed like it would be what an attacking united of Smith, Fishel and Trinity Rodman would look like.
And then it happened. Her ACL tear just before the tournament knocked Fishel out of not just this tournament, but the Olympics later this year. It was an awful break for a player who had earned a chance to stake her claim with the very best after a few solid cameos in 2023.
Now, that'll have to wait. Fishel has a long road to recovery. She'll return, no doubt, but so much will change between now and then. This was her first big chance and it won't be her last, but it's a big, big shame she didn't get the opportunity to seize it.
USA Today Sports WINNER: Jaedyn Shaw
The big star of this tournament and, quite possibly, many tournaments to come.
Just 19 years old, Shaw was awarded the Golden Ball for this tournament, an absolutely wild achievement when you think about it. Her USWNT career is just getting started, but she's already racking up major international honors.
They're deserved, too.
Shaw led the USWNT in goals with four, even though she didn't even start three of the matches, including the final. The USWNT has seemed content to ease Shaw into the picture, but that time is over. She has officially arrived.
The teenager has a bright, bright future, but it's all coming even faster than expected. Prior to this tournament, the question was what the U.S. would do with her come Olympic time. Now, the question is what the U.S. would even look like without her going forward.
In a loaded attacking pool, Shaw has bullied her way in and she's only going to get better, too, which is a scary thought for anyone lining up on the other side. Now, with a big tournament under her belt, this summer feels like it may just be her real breakout onto the world stage.
GettyLOSER: Goalkeepers not named Alyssa Naeher
For a while, it felt like a goalkeeper race was brewing. After this Gold Cup, though, it feels pretty obvious what the plan is going forward.
The USWNT played six games during this tournament. Alyssa Naeher started all but one of them. It's a pretty clear indication of who the starter is going forward, as Naeher looks set to retain her spot for at least one more tournament.
That's bad news for Casey Murphy and Jane Campbell, both of whom would have liked to use this tournament as a springboard to more minutes. Murphy got in, starting the 4-0 win over Argentina. Campbell, the 2023 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year, did not.
This Gold Cup was all Naeher. Her mistake late in the semifinal against Canada could have been costly, but her superhuman performance in the shootout, both as a goalkeeper and as a penalty taker, erased any doubt. Naeher is still here and still going strong, and it seems that'll be the case in France this summer.
