USMNT legend Landon Donovan delivers thoughtful message to Alex Morgan as USWNT forward left off Emma Hayes' Olympic roster

Landon Donovan, the former Everton and USMNT star, offered a sincere and sympathetic message to USWNT striker Alex Morgan, who was left off the USWNT's Olympic Games roster this summer.

For the first time since 2008, the now-34-year-old Morgan will not play with the USWNT in a competitive global tournament.

Donovan's perspective is rooted in his own experience - he was shockingly left off the USMNT's 2014 FIFA World Cup roster, snubbed by then-boss Jurgen Klinsmann. The striker, who is tied with Clint Dempsey as the U.S. men's program's all-time leading scorer, was not included on the roster,

It was a turning point for the program, and many comparisons have been drawn to that moment and the decision regarding Morgan, who will not compete with the USWNT in Paris this summer.

Appearing on CBS Sports Golazo Network's "Morning Footy" Donovan said this regarding Morgan: “I’m devastated for Alex. Having played through the years parallel as she’s been playing and watching her career, it’s a horrible moment. I don’t wish it on anybody.

"I sympathize with Alex, and I hope it doesn’t define the rest of her season and that she can make peace with it at some point. Certainly, it’s not going to be soon because these things are difficult to deal with, but my heart goes out to her.”

Hayes' squad will play in a pair of Pre-Olympic friendlies this July before departing for Paris. The USWNT take on Mexico and then Costa Rica in their final warmups before the Summer Games.