On Wednesday, the U.S. girls’s nationwide group revealed its roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Surprisingly, veteran star ahead Alex Morgan did not make the minimize.
Per Bleacher Report, this marks the USWNT’s first main worldwide match with out Morgan for the reason that 2008 Beijing Olympics.
In a post on her X account, Morgan admitted she is disenchanted however nonetheless “[looks] ahead to rooting for this group.”
The Olympics function 18-player rosters, in comparison with 23 for the FIFA World Cup. Fewer spots compelled USWNT supervisor Emma Hayes to make some troublesome decisions.
“First off, I need to speak about what an incredible participant and human that Alex Morgan has been. I’ve solely had one alternative to work together with her, within the final camp, and I noticed first-hand not simply her qualities however her professionalism, and her report speaks for itself,” Hayes told Anne M. Peterson of the Related Press. “So, it was a tricky choice, after all, particularly contemplating Alex’s historical past and report with this group. However I felt that I needed to go in one other course.”
Morgan – who leads energetic U.S. gamers in objectives (135 in 224 caps), per ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf – performed in worldwide friendlies in opposition to South Korea earlier this month. Nonetheless, she turns 35 on July 2. Hayes clearly desires to rejuvenate the USWNT after the 2023 World Cup, the place it misplaced within the spherical of 16.
U.S. soccer’s web site notes the roster’s common age is 26.8 years previous, the youngest at an Olympics since 2008. For context, the typical age of the 2020 Olympic group was 30.8 years previous.
With Morgan off the squad, the U.S. figures to depend on ahead Sophia Smith. The budding star was named 2022 U.S. Soccer Feminine Participant of the 12 months and has 19 goals in 48 appearances.