USWNT legend and goalscoring hero Alex Morgan not selected as Emma Hayes names inaugural roster for Paris Olympics

The USWNT squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics has officially been announced, with Emma Hayes making her first big call as manager of the storied program.

Regulars such as striker Sophia Smith, midfielder Lindsay Horan and defender Naomi Girma highlighted the squad, but there also some some massive absences. Chief among them is Alex Morgan, who was left out of the 18-player squad.

Morgan was not named among the alternates, either, with Jane Campbell, Hal Hershfelt, Croix Bethune and Lynn Williams named to those spots.

This group marks the start of the next generation for the USWNT. After a disappointing 2023 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. have bounced back with CONCACAF W Gold Cup and SheBelieves Cup titles. However, the Paris games will be their first global tournament since New Zealand.

The squad features several players who have been introduced post-World Cup, headlined by Jaedyn Shaw and Jenna Nighswonger. Stars Catarina Macario and Mallory Swanson are also back, having missed the World Cup due to injury.

Goalkeepers:Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

Defenders:Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC)

Midfielders:Korbin Albert (PSG), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Lyon), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Catarina Macario (Chelsea)

Forwards:Crystal Dunn (Gotham FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars)

Alternates:Jane Campbell, Hal Hershfelt, Croix Bethune, 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 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.”

On the choice to drop Morgan from the Olympic squad, Hayes said, "It's not easy making a decision when there's only 16 outfield players and two goalkeepers on a roster of 18... I wanted to go in a different direction, and selected other players."

The USWNT will take on both Mexico and Costa Rica in a pair of pre-Olympic friendlies this July. They will serve as the final warmup for Hayes' squad before departing for France.