Alex Morgan move to Tottenham Hotspur a win-win

United States superstar Alex Morgan is the latest and most notable loanee from Orlando Pride to join the Tottenham Hotspur Women’s team.

Tottenham Hotspur have been seeking cover at the striker position for some time.

It is hard to argue you can find a better striker than Alex Morgan, who has amassed an incredible 107 international goals in 169 appearances with the US Women’s National Team. The 31-year-old is the now the third member of the 2019-20 Orlando Pride of the NWSL in the United States.

Earlier in the summer, Spurs added Australian international Alanna Kennedy and Canadian Shelina Zadorsky on loan from Orlando, with the option to buy.

https://twitter.com/SpursWomen/status/1296447089367539715?s=20

Before people start thinking more US football stars are going to make the trek across the pond, we need to understand the situation these ladies find themselves in. Clearly, COVID-19 has had a major impact on everyone, everywhere and nowhere in sport has that been felt more than in US women’s professional soccer.

While most professional men’s sports in the US have restarted in some fashion, including both the MLS and second division USL from a soccer perspective, the women’s soccer league has not faired as well.

The NWSL tried to restart early in the pandemic and held a tournament for eight of their teams. However, things did not necessarily proceed according to plan as the different players tested positive in the league and ultimately Orlando – arguably the most star-studded team with Morgan – withdrew.  At this point, the NWSL is planning a couple different fall tournaments, but a full league schedule appears off the table at the moment.

Tottenham and Morgan a nice fit

As the women footballers went looking for steady work and game time, this is where Tottenham Hotspur enter the picture as they continue to grow their Women footballing program at the club. First Zadorsky and Kennedy were brought into the club, then the big signing in Morgan.

How big is Alex Morgan exactly? Well her number 13 shirt is available for purchase already and she is the only women’s player automatically available for a men’s top.

So, while it is clear the growth in the US and potential merchandizing makes this move a no-brainer, with kits already out and Morgan bringing nearly four million Twitter followers alone with her. Of course, this fanfare is well deserved as Morgan maybe – all respect due to Mia Hamm – is the best female footballer ever. Morgan broke on the scene at the 2011 World Cup scoring multiple times as a 22-year-old striker as the US Women took home won the Cup.

As is with most professional women athletes, Morgan’s journey was not straight forward as the opportunities to play professionally forced her to play everywhere from Lyon, France to Portland, Oregon, Seattle, and of course Orlando. Morgan has won multiple Gold medals and a couple World Cups, including winning the Silver Boot at the 2019 version. Megan Rapinoe won the Golden Boot as she played less minutes, although they both had six goals.

As a player, Morgan in many ways resembles Harry Kane, as she uses her body and physicality to her advantage. While not the fastest or strongest, her will to win, and desire to be great drive her as a player. Morgan, Kennedy, and Zadorsky now join new captain Josie Green and Spurs women on the road to success.

Morgan’s transfer still is dependent on a Visa but given her record as an international, that should be a given.

Ultimately, this is a major coup for the Tottenham Hotspur Women, as they continue to build the club and now have one of the best players in the world for their development teams to see in action every day. Very seldom are moves a win all around, but this is one. Now, if the men can make such a move, maybe the trophies will be following for both teams.