U.S. Women’s National Team star Alex Morgan will not compete in this summer’s Olympics after being left off Emma Hayes’ roster.
Morgan was not included among the names listed by Hayes when the squad was revealed in late June, making the 2024 Olympics the first time a gold medallist has missed an Olympics since 2008. It reflects Morgan’s less than ideal form this year, with him having scored just three goals for club or country in 2024 at the time of the announcement.
“Today, I am disappointed that I will not have the opportunity to represent my country on the Olympic stage,” Morgan wrote in a statement on social media that day. “This event will always be close to my heart, and I feel an incredible sense of pride every time I wear the crest. In less than a month, I look forward to cheering on this team and the rest of our country. LFG.”
Why was Alex Morgan left off the list?
Hayes said the decision to make the move was due to the limited 18-player roster for the Olympics and the format, which allows teams to play up to six games in just 17 days. But the coach also said Morgan’s exclusion was due to her recent performances, as several players were ranked higher than her at the time.
“It wasn’t an easy decision,” Hayes said at the time. “With only 16 outfielders and two goalies on an 18-man roster, it was a tough call, especially considering Alex’s background and his record with the team, but I wanted to go in a different direction and draft other players.
“With the tight turnaround between games, of course it was important for squad depth to have players who can play multiple positions, but I think we have players on the roster who are performing well in the forward area, and it was definitely a deliberate decision to bring those players on, but I think the roster is balanced. We took into account all the elements that we needed throughout the Olympics and I’m really happy with that.”
Morgan has scored just two goals for the national team in 2024, one against the San Diego Wave in the NWSL Challenge Cup in March. She has not scored for club or country since that victory.
Instead, who’s on the list?
Hayes selected a younger, more in-form group of forwards for the Olympics: Crystal Dunn, Trinity Rodman, Jaedyn Shaw, Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson and Lynn Williams. NWSL rookie Croix Bethune was also named as an alternate.
The group is mostly young stars, but Dunn and Williams add veteran experience. Swanson is the closest thing to a replacement for Morgan, and is expected to play center forward for the USWNT alongside Smith and Rodman, much like Morgan did at last year’s Women’s World Cup. The versatile Smith could also play in that position.
Each of them has entered the competition in particularly strong form at the club level. Each player has recorded at least one goal and one assist in the NWSL this season, and the presumptive starters for the USWNT have really shined. Smith has 10 goals and six assists for the Portland Thorns this season, Swanson has seven goals and three assists for the Chicago Red Stars, and Rodman has five goals and four assists for the Washington Spirit.
What does the future hold for Alex Morgan?
Morgan has not indicated any intention of retiring from the national team, and Hayes has not commented on Morgan’s future with the team at this time.
