– Rapinoe to be awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom- Kassouf: Despite USWNT win over Haiti, defense looks shaky- Foudy: Will USWNT’s generational change pay off? Morgan opened the scoring for the USA in the 16th minute with a backheel from Mallory Pugh’s pass past Haitian goalkeeper Lara Larco. Morgan’s second goal came with a header in the 23rd minute. Monday’s win at the Estadio Universitario in Monterrey, Mexico, saw the USWNT overcome defensive struggles against the upstart Haitians and secure the first match in the inaugural tournament between the top teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean. Roselord Borghella could have given Haiti a goal from the penalty spot after Morgan’s two early goals, but she missed and was then booked for a foul before half-time. The United States looked set to score on an own goal in the 78th minute, but Megan Rapinoe was ruled offside. Purce scored her fourth international goal in the 84th. USA coach Vlatko Andonovski praised Morgan and said he was pleased with the result, although there are things to work on before the Americans face Jamaica on Thursday. “On the other hand, we gave away a lot of chances, we gave away a penalty. That’s something we’ll have to do better and tie some things up for the next game,” Antonovski said. Eight teams are divided into two groups for the W Championship. The top two finishers in each group earn berths to the 2023 Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The third-place finishers in each group qualify for a 10-team intercontinental play-off. The winner of the W Championship also earns a spot at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Haiti has never qualified for a World Cup or Olympics. In addition to the United States and Haiti, the group includes Jamaica and Mexico. Canada, Costa Rica, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago are in the other group. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
