Getty Image / Brad Smith
Many casual observers were stunned when longtime United States Women’s National Soccer Team star Alex Morgan was left off the 18-woman 2024 Summer Olympics roster that is currently playing throughout France in conjunction with the Olympic Games that are hosted in Paris.
But, the United States navigated a tough group at the Olympics featuring two traditionally solid teams in Germany and Australia alongside a dangerous Zambia squad en route to a 3-0-0 finish in Group Play that featured a ton of goals.
Morgan, now 35, had clearly lost a step compared to some of the younger attacking options like Sophia Smith, Catarina Macario, and Trinity Rodman as well as Mallory Swanson, who is back from an injury that kept her out of the World Cup. Still, it was big news when the team was announced and she and her 123 career USWNT goals weren’t on new USWNT Manager Emma Hayes’ squad. Even advertisers were taken aback, as she had been included in some commercials that were made for the Olympics.
But, Emma Hayes, who is widely regarded as the best women’s soccer manager in the world, looks like a genius by leaving her off as the American attack looks fantastic.
Through the three games, USA has scored eight goals and given up just two, and has put five goals past Australia and Germany. All but one of those goals, the team’s second goal in their 2-1 win over Australi, have come from the forward trio of Swanson, Smith, and Rodman.
Put the impressive scoring of the trio aside and watch the way they’ve played. The attack is fluid, the three of them are interchanging frequently, and it’s full of speed and acceleration to test back lines. That’s a far cry from what Morgan can bring at this stage of her career, as she’s a lot less agile than she was back in her prime.
The ultimate verdict on the move won’t be decided until we see if the team wins gold or not. But, so far, it looks great for Emma Hayes.
The USA will take on Japan in the quarterfinals on Saturday.