United States’ Alyssa Thompson (7) shields the ball from Vietnam’s Thi Thu Thao Tran through the Women’s World Cup Group E soccer match between the United States and Vietnam at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, on July 22, 2023.| Photo Credit: AP

Alyssa Thompson was only a starry-eyed 14-year-old when she watched the 2019 Women’s World Cup ultimate on tv at her aunt’s home — now the United States ahead is enjoying on the match.

The Los Angeles native got here on for her World Cup debut as a late substitute within the holders’ 3-0 win over Vietnam in Auckland on Saturday.

She was simply 14 when now-teammate Megan Rapinoe and the Americans gained 2-0 in opposition to the Netherlands — the United States’ opponents on Thursday -— in 2019 to retain the trophy.

“I was at my aunt’s house and I was watching it there because we didn’t have TV at home,” Thompson, now 18, informed reporters in Auckland.

“I was surrounded by my whole family, we were watching the game and I just remember how intense the game was, how back and forth it was, and I was really nervous for the team.”

Goals by Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle gave the USA their second straight title and their fourth general that day.

They are favourites to retain the trophy this yr in Australia and New Zealand regardless of Thompson being one in all 14 gamers on coach Vlatko Andonovski’s roster showing on the finals for the primary time.

“In that moment I wasn’t really thinking that the next one I was going to be at because I felt so young, so it felt so far away,” mentioned Thompson, who performs her membership soccer for Angel City.

“But being here now is crazy to me,” added Thompson, who made her full worldwide debut in opposition to England at Wembley in October final yr.

She got here on for her World Cup debut in opposition to Vietnam with the USA main 2-0 thanks to 2 Sophia Smith targets.

Moments after Thompson’s introduction, Smith arrange skipper Lindsey Horan to safe a cushty victory within the Group E opener.

“It felt amazing,” Thompson mentioned of her first World Cup expertise.

“When I was warming up I was pretty nervous to play my first World Cup game but once I was on the sideline I was overcome with excitement and happiness.

“I wasn’t feeling any other emotion so I couldn’t help but smile. It was really cool.”