W GOLD CUP
Alex Morgan included on USWNT squad for Women’s Gold Cup replacing Mia Fishel
There have been changes to the USWNT squad for the W Gold Cup, with Alex Morgan coming in as a late change.
Preparation is well underway ahead of the first ever CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup, a competition which sees 12 sides battle across three groups with the United States being one of the main candidates expected to win the inaugural title.
Twila Kilgore will oversee the US team for the last time at a major tournament with current Chelsea head coach Emma Hayes set to be installed as new coach ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The USWNT play against the Dominican Republic on Tuesday February 20 with kick off at 10:15 p.m. ET / 7:15 p.m. PT.
Kilgore announced her squad ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a roster that includes many younger players, thus showing the generational change that is being implemented as US Soccer look ahead to both the 2024 Olympic Games and the 2026 World Cup.
One of the big surprises in the USWNT’s 23-player roster was the absence of Alex Morgan who was not included and this decision may form part of the transition from experienced players to youth with Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman selected as the key attacking options by Kilgore.
Alex Morgan replaces Fishel, out with ACL injury
However, Mia Fishel tore her ACL in training ahead of the tournament and Kilgore went for experience, bringing Morgan into the fold.
“I’m gutted for Mia, and I know the team and the entire staff is as well,” Twila Kilgore. “She’s been very effective in camp and has worked hard to make an impact. Since she’s been getting call-ups to the National Team, she’s shown a tremendous growth mindset, a desire to absorb information and has been a total team player.
“I know she’ll come back strong and hopefully be in the mix for the next World Cup” she continued. “As we start this tournament, we’re fortunate to be able to add a player like Alex to the roster. Her accomplishments speak for themselves, she’s been training extremely hard with the Wave in preseason, and I know she’ll be more than ready to contribute in this tournament.”
Alyssa Naeher, Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle, as well as Alex Morgan, stand out as the experienced faces of this squad.
The 23 USWNT squad for the 2024 W Gold Cup
Goalkeepers: Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
Defenders: Alana Cook (Seattle Reign FC), Abby Dahlkemper (San Diego Wave FC), Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (NY/NJ Gotham FC)
Midfielders: Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
Forwards: Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC)
The US face Argentina, Mexico and a CONCACAF qualifier as part of their group stage. The top two finishers in each of the three groups along with the two best third-place teams will qualify for the knockout stage of eight teams.