OAN’s James Meyers
2:20 PM – Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Alex Morgan, one of the most accomplished U.S. Women’s National soccer players of all-time, was left off the Olympic roster for the games in France.
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On Wednesday, new head coach Emma Hayes announced the official 18-player roster for the upcoming Summer Olympics. The two-time World Cup champion’s name was not listed on the roster.
“Today, I’m disappointed about not having the opportunity to represent our country on the Olympic stage,” Morgan, 34, wrote on X following the roster announcement. “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. LFG.”
Morgan dominated among all-time U.S. Women’s National Team history in goals (123), assists (53) and appearances (223). This summer would have been her fourth Olympic Games appearance.
However, according to Hayes with only 18 spots on the roster, compared to 23 on a World Cup roster, it was a tough decision to make.
“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. These are great opportunities for us to continue to show the progress we are making,” Hayes said.
In the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Morgan scored a league-best 15 goals for the San Diego Wave FC and had seven goals in 2023. However, in eight games this season, the star striker hasn’t scored a goal yet.
Experts have speculated that her age, a recent ankle injury and this year’s goal drought kept her off the final roster.
Morgan also started in all four of America’s games in the 2023 World Cup but did not score and recorded one assist.
The rest of the roster for the Summer 2024 Olympic Games included:
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 all named as alternates.
The team’s Olympic opener is set for July 25th against Zambia in Nice, France.
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