For the first time since 2008, the United States Olympic women’s soccer team will not include Alex Morgan.
Morgan, a forward for San Diego Wave FC, was not one of the five forwards selected for the upcoming Paris Olympics, nor was she one of the four alternates. She played in the 2012, 2016 and 2021 Olympics, winning gold in London in 2012.
Morgan, 34, has yet to score a goal in NWSL play with San Diego this season. She has played in just eight games because of an ankle injury.
Morgan posted a message on social media, saying she was disappointed not to be able to compete in the upcoming Olympic Games:
“Today, I am disappointed to not have the opportunity to represent my country on the Olympic stage. This will always be a tournament that is close to my heart and I am extremely proud every time I participate. In less than a month, I look forward to supporting this team and cheering them on with the rest of our country. LFG.”
Morgan’s 224 caps and 123 goals are the most among active US players and rank ninth and fifth, respectively, in program history.
Forwards Crystal Dunn, Trinity Rodman, Jadin Shaw, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson were selected to the roster.
“Making the Olympic roster is a huge honor and privilege, and there’s no denying it was a highly competitive process amongst the players and there were many difficult choices, especially considering how hard everyone has worked over the last 10 months,” USWNT coach Emma Hayes said in a statement. “There were many considerations that went into selecting the 18-player roster and alternates, but I’m excited for the group we selected and I’m looking forward to building on the work from last camp as we head into the farewell matches and then to France. These are great opportunities for us to showcase our progress.”
Eight players remain from the 2020 Olympic team and 10 from the previous World Cup. The average age of the 18-player squad is 26.8 years, making the USWNT the fourth-youngest team to participate in the Olympics.
Hayes formally took over the USWNT coaching role late last month after accepting the job in November. The US team is looking to recover from its worst performance at a major tournament after exiting in the round of 16 at the 2023 World Cup.
The USWNT will play two farewell matches – against Mexico on July 13 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., and three days later against Costa Rica at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
The US team will play its first Olympic match against Zambia on July 25, followed by group matches against Germany and Australia.
The United States has won medals in all but one of the seven Olympics involving women’s soccer, including four gold medals. The Americans won three consecutive gold medals in 2004, 2008, and 2012.
He earned a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
