The San Diego Wave captain wasn’t included in Emma Hayes’ 18-player roster for the Paris Games.
She is one of the best paid players in the NWSL.Alex Morgan’s omission from the USWNT Olympic roster came as a surprise to many – including the player herself. The 35-year-old forward played in one of the warm-up matches for the tournament, starting the 3-0 win against South Korea and played a part in both the CONCACAF W Gold Cup and She Believes Cuptriumphs earlier this year.
Veterans make way for new blood in the USWNT
Recently-appointed USWNT coach Emma Hayeshas started the process of rejuvenating the team and was also limited by the IOC rules which state that each roster must be a maximum of 18 players. In the end she decided there wasn’t enough room to include the San Diego Wave captain in the travelling party. A new generation of players: Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman
Morgan has played in three previous Olympic Games, winning gold at London 2012 and bronze at Tokyo 2020. Aware that this may well have been her last opportunity, she wrote on social media “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. In less than a month, I look forward to supporting this team and cheering them on alongside the rest of our country.”
Alex Morgan is one of the most distinguished soccer players to have represented the United States at full international level. She is ninth in the all-time appearances ranking with 224 caps and the fifth top goal scorer in history with 123 goals.
