Alex Morgan, who for years has been a centerpiece of U.S. women’s soccer excellence and is one of the program’s greatest scorers, was left off the Olympic roster Wednesday by new coach Emma Hayes.
The seismic decision comes amid a generational shift for the program following the retirements of Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz last fall and an influx of young players the past year.
Morgan, who will turn 35 on July 2, is fifth on the U.S. career scoring list with 123 goals in 224 appearances and was a member of two World Cups and one Olympic Games. She co-captained the 2023 World Cup squad in New Zealand and Australia.
But her production has fallen significantly in recent years, and with only 16 non-goalkeepers permitted at the Olympics, Hayes opted for players in better form and offering greater positional versatility. Morgan was not among the four roster alternates, either.
“It was a tough decision, of course, especially considering Alex’s history and record with this team,” Hayes said. “But I felt I wanted to go in another direction.”
That direction was younger. Hayes’ forward selections were Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Jaedyn Shaw, whose average age is just over 21; Mallory Swanson, 26, who is performing at a high level again after missing the World Cup last year with a knee injury; and Crystal Dunn, 31, the team’s longtime left back whose roots are in attacking soccer.
Contributing to Hayes’ decision was that Morgan is solely a striker. Smith, Swanson and Rodman are wings who are adept in the middle. Additionally, Catarina Macario, who is listed as a midfielder, is also experienced at striker. Lynn Williams, a winger, is the front line alternate.
Hayes cited the roster size – five fewer players than the World Cup – and condensed schedule, saying that “having a roster that could adapt is essential.”
The first sign Morgan might not be in Hayes’ long-term plans came in February when she was left off the Concacaf W Gold Cup roster. She was added to the squad after striker Mia Fishel tore an ACL in training camp.
Hayes was hired by the U.S. Soccer Federation late last year to revamp a program that has remained among the best in the world but has seen countries such as world champion Spain and European champion England surpass the United States.
At No. 5, the U.S. team is at its lowest place in the FIFA rankings in program history. The four-time gold medalists have not won the Olympic title since 2012. Since then, they have lost to Sweden in the 2016 quarterfinals and Canada in the 2021 semifinals.
The World Cup round-of-16 defeat to Sweden last year was the program’s worst performance at a major tournament in its storied history.
“There’s no denying the history of this program … but the realities are it’s going to take a lot of work for us to get to that top level again,” Hayes said.
The London-born Hayes did not take the U.S. reins until completing her 12-year tenure at English club Chelsea FC last month. During that six-month gap, however, she collaborated closely with interim coach Twila Kilgore on roster selections and tactical approaches.
In Hayes’ first training camp, Morgan was named to the roster for two friendlies this month against South Korea. She did not play in the first match because of an injury concern, then started and logged 62 minutes in the second game.
Since 2022, Morgan has scored eight goals in 35 international appearances. She went scoreless in four World Cup starts last year. In the National Women’s Soccer League this season, she has not scored in eight matches with the San Diego Wave.
“Today, I’m disappointed about not having the opportunity to represent our country on the Olympic stage,” Morgan said on X. “This will always be a tournament that is close to my heart and I take immense pride any time I put on the crest. In less than a month, I look forward to supporting this team and cheering them on alongside the rest of our country.”
Several veterans who remain central to the U.S. cause made the Olympic roster, including Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Horan and Alyssa Naeher. Seven others from the 2023 World Cup squad were also retained.
Shaw, defender Jenna Nighswonger, 23, and midfielders Korbin Albert, 20, and Sam Coffey, 25, will enter their first major world tournament. Hayes not only wanted to shake things up for the Olympics but lay the groundwork for the 2027 World Cup, a competition of greater importance.
“One of the biggest things for me ever since I got the job was I want to provide opportunities for less-experienced players,” Hayes said. “There was such a big gap between the top experienced and the rest, and we really have to bring that up. … There is a correlation between [matches] played and success at international tournaments.”
The U.S. team will play tune-ups against Mexico on July 13 in Harrison, New Jersey, and Costa Rica on July 16 at Washington’s Audi Field. Olympic Group B play will begin July 25 against Zambia in Nice, France, followed by matches in Marseille against Germany on July 28 and Australia on July 31.
Two teams from each of the three groups, as well as two third-place finishers, will advance to the quarterfinals. The gold medal will be decided Aug. 10 in Paris.
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