U.S. women’s national team forward Alex Morgan is not on the team headed to Paris for the Olympics this summer. Coach Emma Hayes named her 18-player roster, as well as four alternates, on Wednesday with the two-time World Cup winner the most noticeable absence.
Morgan, who appeared for the U.S. at the 2012, 2016 and 2021 Games, said in a social media post that she was disappointed but looking forward “to supporting this team and cheering them on alongside the rest of our country.”
Hayes praised Morgan as a player and person but said with only 16 outfield players on the roster, she “wanted to go in another direction.”
“I think it’s a balanced roster,” Hayes told reporters Wednesday. “I think I’ve considered all the factors that we’re going to need throughout the Olympics and (it’s) one that I’m really happy with.”
The roster is the first major tournament assignment for Hayes, who officially joined the team on the ground last month after the conclusion of Chelsea’s Women’s Super League season in England. She led the U.S. in two friendly matches earlier this month against South Korea, resulting in two multi-goal, shutout victories.
Hayes was hired in November 2023 as coach after an extensive search to find the right person to fill the vacancy left…
