Gold Cup takeaways: USWNT youngsters excel in 5-0 win vs. Dominican Republic

The USWNT is back for its first major tournament since a disappointing showing at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup last summer. The team started the inaugural CONCACAF W Gold Cup with an impressive 5-0 win over the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, and — equipped with a new coach and a new roster — is heading in the right direction. 

Here are four takeaways from Tuesday night's performance.

1. The kids are alright

With the departure of veterans such as Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz, the USWNT is welcoming its next generation. The roster for this tournament is full of young, rising stars who held their own on Tuesday.

The strongest youth performance came from 18-year-old Olivia Moultrie, who opened the scoring for the USWNT in the seventh minute and followed it up with another goal in the second half. Another standout was 2023 NWSL Rookie of the Year Jenna Nighswonger, who scored on a penalty shot in the 86th minute and was the go-to for corner kicks.

2. Midge Purce is mounting a comeback ... and so is Alex Morgan

After not making the World Cup roster, forward Purce has been proving her worth in recent months. On Tuesday, she did it again, providing two assists and excelling as a playmaker. Purce continues to make herself invaluable to the USWNT, and is likely to stick around long-term.

Another comeback player is Morgan, a last-minute addition to the roster after Mia Fishel's ACL tear. Morgan struggled mightily at the World Cup last summer, but looked stronger Tuesday. Wearing No. 7 instead of her iconic No. 13 (due to CONCACAF rules), Morgan scored on a penalty kick in second-half stoppage time. (She missed a PK at the World Cup and at a friendly in October.) 

Per the CBS broadcast, it was her first U.S. goal in nearly a year — 363 days, to be exact.