American football fans have been sent into a spin with the announcement of the United States Women’s National Team’s (USWNT) squad for the upcoming Olympic Games delivering several controversial calls.
To the surprise of many, the 18-woman squad announced on Thursday did not include mainstay Alex Morgan, among several other notable absentees.
With 224 appearances under her belt for the USWNT, including three Olympic campaigns, Morgan requires no introduction when it comes to the biggest stage.
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But with the 34-year-old under an injury cloud after suffering an ankle injury in April and blowback from a recent goal drought with the San Diego Waves, incoming coach Emma Hayes has initiated a new era for the team.
Other players to receive the chop also include Adrianna Franch, Abby Dahlkemper, ex-captain Becky Sauerbrunn and Australian superstar Sam Kerr‘s fiancée Kristie Mewis.
While Mewis was never a certainty to make the squad after a difficult 2023-24 season upon joining Women’s Super League club West Ham from National Women’s Soccer League side Gotham FC, the news will still come as a blow with Kerr also missing the tournament after rupturing her ACL earlier this year.
Morgan helped the USA win gold at London 2012 — a goal in the 123rd minute of the side’s semi-final win over Canada a standout of the tournament.
Morgan is also the USNWT’s leading goal scorer amongst the crop of active and available players with 123 goals for her country.
However, Hayes has instead opted for a new-look forward group including Trinity Rodman, Jaedyn Shaw, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson alongside Crystal Dunn as the team looks to claim a fifth Olympic title — and their first since Morgan’s debut Games.
In a social media post, Morgan expressed her frustration at being omitted but did not rule out a return to the team in the future.
“I’m disappointed about not having the opportunity to represent our country on the Olympic stage. This will always be a tournament that is close to my heart and I take immense pride any time I put on the crest,” said wrote on Thursday.
“In less than a month, I look forward to supporting this team and cheering them on alongside the rest of our country.”
In response to her critics, Hayes described Morgan as an “amazing player and human” and acknowledged that picking the final squad had been difficult.
”I’ve only had one opportunity to work with her [Morgan] in the last camp and I saw firsthand not just her qualities but her professionalism and her record speaks for itself,” she said.
“It’s not easy making a decision when there’re only 16 outfield players and two goalkeepers on a roster of 18, so it was a tough decision of course.
“Especially considering Alex’s history and record with this team, but I felt I wanted to go in another direction and selected other players.
Hayes took over as head coach of the USWNT last month after finishing up her decorated 12-year stint with Chelsea in which she guided the club to six WSL titles and five Women’s FA Cups.
The Olympic Games Paris 2024 begin on July 26.