Nobody expected Alex Morgan to be out of the Olympic squad. The USWNT striker has been a stalwart for the team for more than a decade but was left behind for the 2024 Games. But her experience regarding the tournament seems to have been useful for the player who made it Jaedyn Shaw. Playing already in three previous editions, Morgan already expressed ‘disappointment,’ about the snub, but it did not mean she couldn’t impart some of her experience to Shaw.

Speaking to Christen Press and Tobin Heath on the RE—CAP podcast, Shaw was asked about her Olympic adventure. She revealed “I feel Alex, she kind of gave me a little bit of a rundown of like ‘this is different like no other like competition like you see all the other sports and you’re like holy cr*p. This is sick, this is huge, the entire world is watching you,’ and I was like ‘cool,'” acknowledging Morgan’s help in preparing for the event.

Morgan did not find favor in the coach’s eyes to and was left out for the first time after 2008. Hayes although acknowledged Morgan’s legacy expressed her aim to go with young and less experienced players. This eye for the future even benefitted Shaw allowing her to win gold on her first attempt. However, a few concerns about the superstar’s recent condition and form did not help her cause.

After a disappointing World Cup going blank, Morgan’s NSWL performance was surprisingly below par with a similar goalless stint. Additionally, she faced an ankle injury in April giving more justification for her exclusion. But the 2-time World Cup winner didn’t have complaints this time and chose to gladly pass some insights to her younger friend.

Alex Morgan details how Jaedyn Shaw’s passion ignites her game

Both Jaedyn Shaw and Alex Morgan developed a healthy bond as teammates playing for the San Diego Wave. They have been partners in crime since mid-2022 and also helped the team win the 2023 NWSL Shield. However, earlier this year, Morgan revealed the 19-year-old’s enormous hunger for the game, “It’s always so fun to play with her week in and week out and just see the game through her eyes. She has so much passion for soccer and she wants to talk with me about soccer every chance she gets. More sometimes than I want to.”

It definitely not a bad thing to maintain such rapport with a legend of the game. Morgan already holds Shaw in high regard and her versatility in scoring goals was impressive according to the 35-year-old icon. USA’s 2022 Young Female Player of the Year already scored 7 goals in her first 16 games for USA. With the Olympic-winning confidence behind her, she now joins Morgan again. With the Wave in turmoil and away from the playoff region, can the duo resurrect the team to another title? Let us know in the comments.