Alex Morgan joins US women's national team for CONCACAF W Gold Cup
After a disappointing showing at the World Cup last year, Alex Morgan is back with the United States women's national team for the CONCAAF women's Gold Cup as an injury replacement.
Morgan takes the roster spot vacated by Mia Fishel after the Chelsea striker tore her right ACL during a training session on Monday.
Instead of prioritizing the younger generation of the USWNT to avoid another World Cup performance like the Stars and Stripes showed in 2023, Fishel's injury forces the program to bring back Morgan, who represents the old guard of the USWNT.
Morgan played in the last four World Cups but was left off the roster for the Gold Cup when it was announced last month. She fifth in American national team history with 121 goals.
'I'm gutted for Mia, and I know the team and the entire staff is as well,' said Twila Kilgore, the interim U.S. coach. 'She's been very effective in camp and has worked hard to make an impact.'
Morgan was Vlatko Andonovski top-choice striker for the World Cup and she did not score a goal during the tournament. For long portions of the Americans stay in Australia and New Zealand, Morgan was completely ineffective.
Alongside Tobin Heath, Megan Rapinoe, and Kelley O'Hara, Morgan was thought to be on the way out of the USWNT rotation to make space for players like Fishel. Now, Morgan takes her spot in a critical tournament.
'Not how I would wish to come into camp but ready to go to work!' Morgan said, adding she was sending Fishel prayers 'for a speedy recovery.'
The torn ACL will likely sideline Fishel for several months, ending her chances of competing at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris as well.
The USWNT's first game of the Gold Cup is tonight against the Dominican Republic. Morgan is available to play
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