USWNT head coach Emma Hayes named her 18-player roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics on Wednesday, with veteran forward Alex Morgan notably omitted Alex Morgan from the U.S. women’s national team — marking the team’s first major tournament without Morgan since the 2008 Olympics, before she debuted for the team.

Hayes’ roster features several veterans, including goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, captain and midfielder Lindsey Horan, and Crystal Dunn — who is listed as a forward, not a defender — making their third Olympic rosters. Midfielder Catarina Macario and forward Mallory Swanson also made the USWNT’s Olympic roster, despite missing the 2023 World Cup because of major injuries.

Hayes, who assumed the USWNT coaching role last month after accepting the position in November, said in a statement: “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.” 

Morgan’s 224 caps and 123 goals are each the most among active U.S. players and rank ninth and fifth, respectively, in history.  After news broke of her exclusion from the Olympic roster, Morgan, who turns 35 next week, said on social media: “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”

The Americans are looking to rebound after their worst finish in a major tournament after exiting the 2023 World Cup in the round of 16.  The USWNT has not won an Olympic gold medal since the 2012 London Games; they earned the bronze medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

The Olympic roster for the USWNT will have two games together before departing for Paris — on July 13 against Mexico, and July 16 against Costa Rica. Their Olympic matchups begin on July 25, when the U.S. women face Zambia, followed by group matches against Germany and Australia.

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