Alex Morgan, considered by many to be one of the greatest female American soccer players in history, will not be joining the U.S. team at the upcoming Olympics in France, as announced by the team on Wednesday.
Of the 18 players chosen for the squad by rookie coach Emma Hayes, who hopes to restore the team to their former glory, Morgan’s absence was the most noteworthy.
The USWNT exited last year’s World Cup early, falling in the round of 16, and only managed to secure a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Morgan played in each of America’s four matches at the 2023 World Cup but failed to score, only contributing one assist.
Should this mark the conclusion of Morgan’s time with the national team, she would retire with a remarkable record, boasting two World Cup victories and both Olympic gold and bronze medals.
“It’s disappointing to not have the chance to represent my country at the Olympics,” Morgan expressed in a statement shared on X. “This tournament will always hold a special place in my heart, and I’m incredibly proud every time I wear the USA crest.”
“Earning a spot on an Olympic roster is a tremendous privilege and honor, and the competition for those spots was incredibly fierce. Every player worked incredibly hard over the past 10 months, making these decisions very difficult,” Hayes stated.
“Many factors were considered when choosing the 18 players for the roster and the alternates, and I’m thrilled with the team we’ve assembled.”
One of the most iconic moments in American soccer history belongs to Morgan, when she scored a header in the 123rd minute of the 2012 Olympic semifinals at Old Trafford, securing a 4–3 victory against Canada.
Her goal propelled the team to the gold medal match, where they triumphed 2–1 over Japan.
Morgan conveyed her unwavering support for her former teammates, stating, “I’m looking forward to cheering them on alongside the rest of the nation in less than a month.”
The final roster features:
- Goalkeepers: Alyssa Naeher and Casey Murphy
- Defenders: Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Casey Krueger, Jenna Nighswonger, and Emily Sonnett
- Midfielders: Korbin Albert, Sam Coffey, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, and Catarina Macario
- Forwards: Crystal Dunn, Trinity Rodman, Jaedyn Shaw, Sophia Smith, and Mallory Swanson
Goalkeeper Jane Campbell, midfielders Hal Hershfelt and Croix Bethune, and forward Lynn Williams were chosen as alternates.
Before the Olympics, the team will play two more exhibition matches: one against Mexico on July 13 in Harrison, New Jersey, and another against Costa Rica on July 16 in Washington, D.C.
On July 25, the American team will begin their Olympic campaign in Nice, France, with a game against Zambia.
Hayes and her team are determined to avoid a historic first: becoming the first U.S. women’s soccer team to fail to win gold in three consecutive Olympics or World Cups.
