Alex Morgan, a star of U.S. women’s soccer for years and whose goal at the 2012 London Olympics gave the U.S. team a gold medal, was left off the 2024 Olympic roster Wednesday by the team’s new coach, Emma Hayes, according to The Washington Post.
Morgan, who will turn 35 on July 2, is fifth on the U.S. career scoring list with 123 goals in 224 appearances. She co-captained the 2023 World Cup squad in New Zealand and Australia, the Post reported.
Only 16 non-goalkeepers are permitted at the Olympics, so Hayes opted for players in better form and offering greater positional versatility, according to the Post. Morgan was not among the four roster alternates.
In a statement accompanying the roster announcement, Hayes said: “Making an Olympic roster is a huge privilege and an honor and there is no denying that it was an extremely competitive process among the players and that there were difficult choices. … Choosing an 18-player roster plus alternates involved many considerations, but I am excited for the group we have selected and I’m looking forward to building on the work from last camp as we head into the send-off matches and then onto France.”
Morgan, who appeared for the U.S. at the 2012, 2016 and 2021 Games, said in a social media post that she was disappointed but looking forward “to supporting this team and cheering them on alongside the rest of our country.”
Today, I’m disappointed about not having the opportunity to represent our country on the Olympic stage. This will always be a tournament that is close to my heart and I take immense pride any time I put on the crest.
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) June 26, 2024
In less than a month, I look forward to supporting this team… pic.twitter.com/NAXmQnNN8B
The U.S. will face Zambia, Germany and Australia in this summer’s group stage in France, playing matches in Marseille and Nice, The Athletic reported.
The USWNT will play two send-off games in New Jersey and Washington, D.C. against Mexico and Costa Rica, respectively, before going to the Games.
The Olympic 18 🇺🇸
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 26, 2024
Full Roster Details » https://t.co/4AYdQah9DP pic.twitter.com/tDWS9z7goe
Who is on the roster? Here’s the 2024 U.S. Olympic women’s soccer team:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS (6): Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Catarina Macario (Chelsea)
FORWARDS (5): Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars)
ALTERNATES (4): Jane Campbell (goalkeeper, Houston Dash), Hal Hershfelt (midfielder, Washington Spirit), Croix Bethune (midfielder, Washington Spirit), Lynn Williams (forward, NJ/NY Gotham FC)
© 2024 Cox Media Group
