The USWNT‘s squad for the Paris Olympics is out, and it seems Emma Hayes has hit it out of the bag. The team looks balanced with Hayes picking a mix of experienced and young superstars. However, while some top names have made the cut, one name that’s absent from the lineup is Alex Morgan. The former USWNT skipper’s absence came as an enormous surprise, as fans expected the team to use the player as an important figure during the tournament.

Alex could have provided the team with a good option in the attack and her experience could have been a big help for the young stars. However, her snub from the team isn’t as simple as it sounds, with many big factors likely behind Emma Hayes’s decision. Alex Morgan was also dropped from the Gold Cup squad earlier this year before being added to the team as an injury reserve.

Morgan picked up an injury earlier this season, which has ruled her out for most of the season. This could be a key reason behind Emma Hayes’ decision to snub the player, considering she hasn’t had ample game time before the tournament. Her performance in front of the goal hasn’t been impressive enough to merit a place in the team.

According to reports, Emma Hayes has also been focusing on a more young squad, which could be the reason behind Alex Morgan’s snub.

Alex Morgan comments on Emma Hayes’ decision to snub her from Paris Olympics squad

Being snubbed before any major tournament is an enormous setback for players. Alex Morgan is no different with the former USWNT skipper expressing her disappointment at being left out of the squad. The forward took to her Instagram handle as she commented on being snubbed by Emma Hayes.

Morgan stated, “Today, I’m disappointed about not having the opportunity to represent our country on the Olympic stage. This will always be a tournament that is close to my heart and I take immense pride any time I put on the crest. In less than a month, I look forward to supporting this team and cheering them on alongside the rest of our country. LFG”

Fans will hope the selected players can pull their weight in the absence of the experienced star. This will be a massive challenge for USWNT as they will be back on the global stage for the first time following their disastrous run during the 2023 World Cup.