Angel City’s wonderteen Alyssa Thompson only scores bangers

Will the 18-year-old ever just score a tap-in?

Will Alyssa Thompson ever just score a tap-in?

The law of averages would posit that eventually she will but for now, the Angel City and U.S. national team wonderteen is getting by with Bangers Only™.

The latest salvo in Thompson’s ever-more impressive rookie campaign came against the Kansas City Current on Sunday night.

Thompson was played in behind the Current’s defense before chopping defender Addisyn Merrick to the turf. An acute angle was staring Thompson in the face but no matter: the 18-year-old simply lifted a shot over Cassie Miller that found the net after touching the far post.

The forward’s opener kicked off a three-goal blitz for Angel City right before halftime. Kansas City hit back with two second-half goals but the home side hung on for a 3-2 win.

Thompson’s opener was absurd, but also very much in character for a player who scored a banger on her preseason debut, pro debut, and also during last week’s wild 3-3 draw at the Portland Thorns.

After making her U.S. national team debut last season as a 17-year-old, Thompson looked to be just outside the picture for the World Cup squad after she wasn’t called in for any of the team’s first three sets of matches in 2023.

But things have changed dramatically in recent months.

Mallory Swanson’s serious knee injury was a devastating blow for player and country, but it also handed Thompson an opportunity. The teenager was called into the USWNT roster last month to replace Swanson and started the team’s second of two friendlies against Ireland.

The U.S. doesn’t lack for attacking options but Thompson is clearly in pole position to replace Swanson on the World Cup roster. If she keeps scoring ridiculous goals in the NWSL, she’ll move herself away from the bubble and closer to lock status.

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