Alex Morgan, team USA’s slender forward, sprints down the pitch with intensity. She leaves the defense in her tracks and rushes toward goal. With a confident kick of the ball it hits the net and the US takes the lead.

The scene has become all too familiar since Morgan started playing for the US women’s national squad (USWNT). Her teammates call her baby horse on account of her speed and youth.

The US striker also known for her pink headband has become the biggest hope for team USA going into this summer’s World Cup, both on the field and off.

“I think she just really pumps her team up,” EC soccer freshman, Rocio Najera said. She’s a spokesperson that brought people to watch her attitude and her skills and all of her packaging and brought a new foundation, a new way to look at (women’s soccer).”

Morgan is perhaps the most popular player among the USWNT due to her 2012 Olympic heroics, in which she led the stripes and stars to a gold medal. She has since garnered corporate deals with the likes of Nike, Coca-Cola and Tampax who hosted a Pro Camp for girls at EC this January.

“I’m into playing with little girls, relating to them, teaching them, and learning from them,” Morgan said. “It’s great to be surrounded by them and see how excited and motivated they are.”

Morgan sees it as a way to give back to the girls who look up to her as a role model and give them a positive outlook on life like the players she used to look up to.

“I think there’s a certain level of pressure when you think of the responsibility that me and my teammates have to set a good example,” Morgan said. “I want to inspire young girls, not that I feel like I was pushed into any position.”

Dianna Smith, former EC soccer player said she grew up watching USWNT players like Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach but now admires Morgan from the current US squad.

“I think a lot of girls can relate to (Morgan, which) makes her more attractive to youngsters,” Smith said.

Morgan’s clean image contrasts her teammate Hope Solo’s, who’s reputation has tanked ever since being charged with two accounts of assault last year.

“I do not appreciate (Solo’s) attitude with her whole scandal it doesn’t show sportsmanship,” Najero said. “I think Morgan tries to create this role model (persona). She’s all around a good person compared to Solo who does not help the image.”

Morgan will hope to carry team USA to glory this summer with so many girls cheering her on. A triumph this summer would be the first since 1999 for the USWNT.

“It’s such a great opportunity and it it all comes down to these thirty days in the World Cup,” Morgan said. “(It’s) what you’ve worked for your entire life and for us its putting all that together and making it cohesive.”