‘No Bitter Feelings’ Towards Emma Hayes, Alex Morgan Believes She Had Pretty Good Odds for Olympics- “She Made Her Decision”

“Disappointed” was the word Alex Morgan used to describe her reaction to the USWNT’s Paris Olympics roster. Having carried the weight of the 2023 World Cup upset, the iconic forward did not get a chance to make amends and was ultimately snubbed by Emma Hayes—a decision Morgan believes was ‘pivotal‘ for the sake of the next generation.

Even months after the American ladies won the gold medal, Hayes’ call to leave her out of the Summer Games remains in a gray area for many. But the former San Diego Waves star who announced her retirement three months ago knows it was for the best for what’s coming next for the USWNT. “I understood that the team was trending younger,” began Morgan during her chat on ESPN FC’s Futbol W.

When the 35-year-old was put alongside the likes of Trinity Rodman and Alyssa Thompson in the 2023 World Cup by Vlatko Andonovski, the then-USWNT side was called an unprepared side. Such is a mistake that Morgan doesn’t want Hayes and Co. to repeat. And what better way there is to prepare the next-gen of the US for the 2027 World Cup than by giving them exposure in the Olympics?

“This was a pivotal time for those players to get that experience and prove themselves and Emma wanting to come in and kind of make her mark on the team. So I knew in a way it was like a coin toss between me going or not,” added Morgan, knowing it was a 50-50 call as it was Hayes who decided to not take the veteran to the Olympics.

“I thought that I had pretty good odds. But at the end of the day, it’s not up to me. It’s up to one person. And she made her decision, and I supported the team throughout the Olympics. There’s really no bitter feelings when it comes to the national team,” concluded Morgan, clearing any kind of negative air between her and Hayes.

It’s good to see Morgan thinking progressively about the team. No wonder that despite the challenges she faced this year, the NWSL icon still keeps her head high and has no regrets.

Alex Morgan is ‘proud’ of making the best out of a bittersweet year

The former Tottenham star still had to overcome the significant backlash from the 2023 World Cup failure, hoping to get the next best opportunity that would come up, be it winning the championship with San Diego Waves or going to the Olympics. The only problem was that the icon couldn’t get any of those exactly how she would have wanted to. “Both of those things didn’t work out as I had planned, nor did my pregnancy,” said Morgan, who is expecting her second child.

The 35-year-old’s mindset shifted, making her prioritize the brighter side. “The biggest thing that I was really proud of is that I stuck to what I committed to at the beginning of the year, which was all you can do is try and work hard to fulfill that last year and everything that I’ve done,” she added.

Viewing this as a bonus year, Morgan focused on embracing the moment and simply enjoying the experience. “Regardless of all the ups and downs and things and pieces of adversity that were thrown my way,” concluded Morgan.

Talk about all’s well that ends well!