Morgan’s Olympic snub may not be Emma Hayes’s most contentious decision

The veteran striker will not play at the Olympics as the USWNT coach looks to the next generation. And one of them may prompt pushback among fans

Emma Hayes has named her first squad for a major tournament. With just 18 players permitted for the Olympic roster, the margins to get the call-up for Paris were slim, and with her selections, Hayes sent a clear signal.

This is a USWNT roster that fully embraces an emerging generation of talent. No veteran star was too venerated to be cut. Capitalizing on a months-long transition coordinated in tandem with assistant coach Twila Kilgore, Hayes named a squad that balances leadership with youth. Getting experience for that youth has been a priority for Hayes since she was named the new coach. Collaborating with Kilgore, who served as interim head coach before Hayes stepped up, on squad selection from London, she emphasized bringing fresh faces into the squad for the Concacaf W Gold Cup and SheBelieves Cup.