Alex Morgan, a key figure in the illustrious history of the US women’s soccer team, was omitted from the Paris Olympic squad on Wednesday, marking a likely end to her international career.
This will be the first major competition since the 2008 Olympics that Morgan, a forward, will not represent the US.
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Recovering from an ankle injury, the 34-year-old struggled for fitness, having seen limited playing time and minimal contributions with her NWSL club, the San Diego Wave, where she scored no goals and provided just one assist in eight games.
Expressing her disappointment on social media, Morgan stated, “Today, I’m disappointed about not having the opportunity to represent my country on the Olympic stage. This tournament has always held a special place in my heart, and I take immense pride in every moment wearing the crest.”
She added, “In less than a month, I look forward to supporting this team and cheering them on alongside the rest of our country.”
Coach Emma Hayes faced challenging decisions with only 18 roster spots available for the Olympics. Despite Morgan’s absence, the US team retains considerable experience with eight players returning from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where they secured a bronze medal.
“Securing a place on an Olympic roster is a tremendous privilege and honor,” Hayes remarked in a statement. “It was an intensely competitive process among the players, and tough decisions had to be made.”
The US team heads to Paris aiming to bounce back from their disappointing performance in the last World Cup, where they exited in the round of 16, their worst-ever finish in the tournament’s history.
