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The 18-year-old graduated from high school
months ago and never expected to play in the World Cup so soon,
with Thursday's group-stage showdown against the Netherlands in
Wellington conjuring memories of her days as a national team
fan.
"I just remember how intense it was and how back and forth it
was, and it was a tough game and I was really nervous for the
team," she told reporters on Monday.
"In that moment, I wasn't really thinking about, 'Oh, the next
one, I'm going to be at,' because it felt like so far away. But
being here now is crazy to me, because I didn't think about it
in the moment."
She became the second-youngest ever to take the pitch for the
United States in a Women's World Cup when she was subbed in
during the 75th minute of their 3-0 victory over Vietnam on
Saturday.
The forward was scarcely able to contain her joy at the match as
she completed her stunning transformation from a youth soccer
competitor to a World Cup contender in a matter of months.
"I was pretty nervous just to play my first World Cup 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," she said.
The ninth-ranked Netherlands, who beat Portugal 1-0 in their
Sunday opener, are widely expected to be the Americans' toughest
Group E opponent.
Thompson's team mate, defender Naomi Girma, said they are
relying on the steady hand of their veteran corps, including
fourth-timers Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, to help them
mentally prepare.
"They've just been telling us to enjoy the moment and soak it
in, and I think in that first game that was really big - just
staying calm and just knowing that it's a normal game and
trusting ourselves to go out and get the job done," said Girma.
The United States play the Netherlands in Wellington on
Thursday, before closing out their group against Portugal next
week.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery; Editing by Sonali Paul)
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