Alex Morgan, one of the most decorated players in U.S. women’s soccer history, was left off the American roster headed to the Olympics in France, the team announced Wednesday.
Morgan was the most notable absence of the 18 players named to the squad of first-year coach Emma Hayes, who is seeking to return the Americans to their long-accustomed elite levels.
On June 26, it was announced that the 34-year-old soccer star, who has played for the US Women’s National Team at every Summer Olympic Games since 2012, had not made the 18-player roster despite earning three Olympic medals, winning two World Cup Championships, and serving as co-captain of the USNWT from 2018-2020.
“Today, 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,” Morgan wrote of the decision on X.com.
“In less than a month, I look forward to supporting this team and cheering them on alongside the rest of our country. LFG.”
According to ESPN, the final decision was made by the new Olympic team head coach Emma Hayes.
“Making an Olympic roster is a huge privilege and an honor, and there is no denying that it was an extremely competitive process among the players and that there were difficult choices, especially considering how hard everyone has worked over the past 10 months,”
