Veteran striker Alex Morgan broke her silence after being left off the U.S. Women's National Team's roster for the Paris Olympics on Wednesday (June 26).
"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. In less than a month, I look forward to supporting this team and cheering them on alongside the rest of our country. LFG," Morgan wrote on her social media accounts.
Morgan, 34, who co-captioned the USWNT from 2018 to 2020 and is the team's active leading goal scorer, ranking fifth all-time, was left off the roster of 18, with NWSL scoring leader Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, Jaedyn Smith, Trinity Rodman and Crystal Dunn all listed as forwards.
2024 U.S. OLYMPIC WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM ROSTER BY POSITION (CAPS/GOALS):
GOALKEEPERS (2): Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage; 19), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 104)
DEFENDERS (6): Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 58/3), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG; 49/1), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC; 32/0), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit; 49/0), Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 9/2), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 91/2)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA; 11/0), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC; 17/1), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA; 148/35), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 100/24), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC, ENG; 19/8)
FORWARDS (5):Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 147/25), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 38/7), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC; 14/7), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC; 48/19), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars; 92/34)
Alternates: Goalkeeper JaneCampbell, midfielder Hal Hershfelt, midfielder Croix Bethune and forward Lynn Williams.
“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,” said head coach Emma Hayes. “Choosing an 18-player roster plus alternates involved many considerations, but I am excited for the group we have selected and I’m looking forward to building on the work from last camp as we head into the Send-Off matches and then onto France. These are great opportunities for us to continue to show the progress we are making.”
Morgan is one of the most decorated players in USWNT history, having appeared in every major tournament since making her debut in the 2011 World Cup at the age of 22. The two-time World Cup champion has, however, experienced a slow start to the NWSL season, having missed a month due to an ankle injury and yet to score a goal.
This story is brought to you by the Women's Sports Audio Network (WSAN). WSAN is the first-ever audio platform dedicated exclusively to women's sports. WSAN celebrates female athletes and gives an in-depth look into their personal experiences in and out of their respective sports. Check out more on the WSAN site.
Bronny James' Agent Was Demanding Teams Not Draft Him: Report
'Bizarre Questions' Arise About Player's Girlfriend After NBA Draft Fall
Bill Belichick's 23-Year-Old Girlfriend Spotted Driving $75K Car
Pat Tillman's 'Shocked' Mother Blasts the Decision to Honor Prince Harry
Brandon Aiyuk Revealed Two Teams He Could Join if Traded By 49ers
Ex-NFL Player' Son Missing For Weeks; Police Probe Disturbing Allegations
Jason Whitlock Says Angel Reese is the 'Most Overrated Athlete in Sports'
Dave Portnoy Revealed Cancer Diagnosis
Travis Kelce Addressed Super Bowl Ring Typo
Jason Whitlock Says Angel Reese is the Most 'Unskilled' Player in the WNBA