18-year old Filipino American makes her World Cup debut

Alyssa Thompson  takes control of the ball in the World Cup match against Vietnam.

Alyssa Thompson, the teenage phenom on the United States Women's National Football Team made her World Cup debut July 22 playing alongside her soccer idols.

The US women were ahead 3-0 and in control in the second half of its first 2023 World Cup game against Vietnam, when manager Vlatko Andonovski in the 75th minute, called on the Filipino/Peruvian American to go into the game, subbing for starter Trinity Rodman.

And that may be Andonovski's way to get the teams youngest member and budding star valuable international experience in a real-game situation with minimum pressure: when the opponent is tired, put in  Thompson known for her speed and nimble ball-handling.

Now that the young Californian, who plays for the first-year pro team, Angels FC, is over her nerves, no doubt we'll see more of her as an aggressive forward.

"I was pretty nervous just to play my first World Cup game," said Alyssa after the game. "But once I was on the sideline, I was kind of overcome with happiness and excitement, just because I was going into my first World Cup, and I wasn't feeling any other emotion. 

“But once I stepped on,” she said, “obviously all the nerves go away, and I’m just ready to play soccer and win the game.”

“She improvises and you never know what she is going to do,” said  Andonovski. “She can do one-on-one or one-on-two and can use her right or left foot. It is very difficult to mark her because she is so creative.”

Playing without the pressure of having to score is good for Alyssa, who is expected to be eventually become one of the stars of the United States' next generation of soccer stars that includes Rodman and Sophia Smith, both of whom were also playing their first World Cup match. Smith scored two goals in the game against Vietnam.

The three also represent the new diversity emerging in the sport that in the 1990s after the US won its first World Cup. The leagues that sprung up inspired the stars such as Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain gained a reputation as  a sport for white suburban girls.

Alyssa first began getting attention of the soccer world when she was 14-years old and not only playing on a boys team, but outperforming them. Playing with the boys through high school got her used to the more physical game.

This Spring when she was still studying for her high school finals, Alyssa was the first player picked in the pro-league draft when the Angel City FC drafted her.

She earned a call-up to the national team last year and played in a match in England, subbing in for one of her idols Megan Rapinoe. “Even now, every time I see her I’m starstruck,” Alyssa admitted last month. “I don’t believe that I’m her teammate. It’s crazy to me.”

“I look up to so many people on this team,” Alyssa said.

A former coach said she could be for soccer what Serena Williams is for tennis.

“You’re going to think I’m crazy, but I’m not joking,” said Carlos Marroquin, coach and owner of the semi-pro Santa Clarita Blue Heat. “In another two or three years, Alyssa is going to be the best player in the US and the world.”

FYI: The next World Cup match for the US is against the Netherlands on Thursday, July 27, in Wellington, New Zealand. Because of the International Dateling, US fans can view the game July 26, 6 p.m. PDT on FS1.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me at Threads.net/eduardodiok, @DioknoEd on Twitter or at the  blog Views From the Edge.