Emma Hayes names USWNT's 18-player squad for Paris 2024 as Alex Morgan misses out
Emma Hayes has selected 18 players to represent Team USA at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 next month.
The major story from the announcement is that veteran striker Alex Morgan has been left off the roster, despite having taking part in four previous Olympic tournaments.
This marks the first major test for Hayes as head coach, as she looks to guide the four-time Olympic champions to their first gold medal in football since London 2012.
"Making an Olympic roster is a huge privilege and an honour 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," Hayes told the US Soccer website.
"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."
Nine of the players selected by Hayes will be first-time Olympians, including highly-regarded central defender Naomi Girma and forwards Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Jaedyn Shaw.
Before jetting off to Paris, the USWNT will host two farewell games against Mexico (13 July), followed by Costa Rica (16 July).
USWNT: Olympic roster for Paris 2024
Goalkeepers: Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
Defenders: Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
Midfielders: Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC)
Forwards: Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars)
Alternates: Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham).
Alex Morgan: The Olympics will always be close to my heart
In response to being left off the roster by Hayes, Morgan has expressed her disappointment as she is set to miss her first Games since debuting in London.
"I'm disappointed about not having the opportunity to represent our country on the Olympic stage," she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
"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."
The USWNT are in Group B, alongside Zambia, Germany, and Australia, and will kick their campaign off on 25 July.