U.S. edges England, 1-0, in Alex Morgan’s return

Alex Morgan is back.

The American forward scored in the 25th minute in her second start since returning from an ankle injury, and the U.S. women defeated England 1-0 on Friday night in an exhibition game.

Morgan got her 50th goal in 79 international appearances, becoming the third-fastest American woman to reach the mark behind Michelle Akers (49 games) and Abby Wambach (64).

The goal ended a 217-minute scoring drought for the United States, which played its second game of the year in preparing for this year’s Women’s World Cup — and its second without suspended goalkeeper Hope Solo. The Americans had won just one of their previous five matches, including a 2-0 loss to France last weekend.

England’s Jodie Taylor, Morgan’s Portland Thorns teammate, appeared to even the match in the 56th minute but was ruled offside.

The game was played before 14,369 fans at Milton Keynes, about 50 miles northwest. England was coming off a 3-0 loss to Germany in late November that drew 45,000 fans to London’s Wembley Stadium.

Morgan injured her left ankle last October in group stage play of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship, which served as qualifying for the World Cup.