Alex Morgan left out of USWNT Gold Cup squad
Alex Morgan, a longtime star, is not on the roster for the United States Women's National Team, which will compete in the Gold Cup later this month in Southern California.
Morgan is a national program stalwart, so the omission stands out. The four-time Women's World Cup veteran is fifth in USWNT history with 121 career goals.
Morgan, however, is 34 years old and coming off a mediocre World Cup performance last year, in which she failed to score in four games. The Americans struggled and were eliminated by Sweden in the Round of 16.
Morgan scored six goals in 2019 as the USWNT won the World Cup.
Twila Kilgore, the interim national team coach, discussed the roster but did not specifically address Morgan's absence.
"Nobody is out of the mix," Kilgore said. "That goes for some of our bigger names, that goes for lesser names that we've been tracking. We want to get it right, and everybody's still involved."
Kilgore believes the event, which will be held in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Houston from February 17 to March 10, has a lot of meaning.
"Not only is there a trophy on the line, but this is a great opportunity to capitalize on meaningful match opportunities and experience the short turnarounds between games, which is a rhythm that closely mirrors the Olympic format," Kilgore said in a news release.
"We are going to take our next steps together as we continue to evolve our style of play and provide opportunities for players to grow into possible future roles and partnerships."
"There is something special about tournament play and what it can bring out of players. We are hopefully going to be together for a month and we are looking forward to both finding and enjoying that working rhythm required to be in tournament for long stretches while upholding and driving our standards forward. We can't wait for the opportunity."
Kilgore is in charge of the squad until Emma Hayes takes over in spring. Hayes is currently coaching Chelsea, a club that competes in the Women's Super League.
Becky Sauerbrunn, a veteran defender, was also left off the squad. Sauerbrunn, 38, missed the Women's World Cup due to a foot injury.
The roster includes midfielders Lindsay Horan and Rose Lavelle, forward Sophia Smith, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, and defenders Abby Dahlkemper, Crystal Dunn, and Naomi Girma.
Girma was named U.S. Soccer's Female Player of the Year in 2023. She was one of the top U.S. performers in the World Cup and was named NWSL Defender of the Year for her efforts with the San Diego Wave.
Mallory Swanson, a forward who missed the World Cup due to a serious knee injury, will train with the team but is not on the roster.
San Diego will host the semifinals and final, with the championship match scheduled for March 10. The USWNT will begin Group A play on February 20 in Carson, California, against either Guyana or the Dominican Republic. On February 17, these nations will play a preliminary round game.
USWNT roster (pro team in parentheses)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS (8): Alana Cook (Seattle Reign FC), Abby Dahlkemper (San Diego Wave FC), Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (NY/NJ Gotham FC)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
FORWARDS (6): Mia Fishel (Chelsea FC, ENG), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
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