On Wednesday, June 26, women's national soccer team coach Emma Hayes revealed the 18 players who made it onto the roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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| Alex Morgan and the national team on June 1, 2024 in Commerce City, Colorado. Robin Alam/ISI Photos / Getty Images |
And get this, ten of these players were actually part of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup!
But here's the shocker: the superstar Alex Morgan didn't make the cut. Instead, they went with Korbin Albert, who's been catching heat for her anti-LGBTQ social media posts. Even though Albert said sorry for her comments, she's still getting a lot of negative reactions, and people even booed her during USWNT games.
Now, with Albert on the Olympic team, we'll have to wait and see if fans will keep criticizing her or start supporting her in the quest for the gold medal.
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| Korbin Albert /Getty Images |
The Team USA roster includes midfielders Korbin Albert, Sam Coffey, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, and Catarina Macario; forwards Crystal Dunn, Trinity Rodman, Jaedyn Shaw, Sophia Smith, and Mallory Swanson; defenders Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Casey Krueger, Jenna Nighswonger, and Emily Sonnett; and goalkeepers Casey Murphy and Alyssa Naeher. The alternates are Lynn Williams, Croix Bethune, Hal Hershfelt, and Jane Campbell.
Coach Hayes made it clear that picking the Olympic roster was a huge honor but also a tough job. She had to make some hard choices because of these players' dedication over the past ten months. But Hayes is confident and looks forward to the upcoming matches and the Olympics in France.
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| Alex Morgan /Getty Images |
About the whole controversy surrounding Albert. Hayes stood up for her and said she deserved to be on the team. She talked about how versatile and talented Albert is, especially after her performance in the Gold Cup.
Hayes also said how important it is to support Albert and how tolerance and respect are crucial within the team. Albert has learned from her mistakes and shown that she understands the consequences of her actions. She's apologized for her social media posts, expressing deep regret for the hurt she caused and promising to do better.
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| National team coach Emma Hayes / Getty Images |
The 2024 Paris Olympics, set to start on July 26, will feature an exciting mix of seasoned and new players. Among the notable inclusions are Crystal Dunn, who has been a consistent performer for the national team, and young stars like Trinity Rodman and Jaedyn Shaw, who bring fresh energy and talent to the squad. Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle, known for their midfield skills, will be key players in managing the team's play.
Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith, both forwards, have been in excellent form, and their goal-scoring abilities will be crucial for the team’s success. Defenders like Tierna Davidson and Naomi Girma provide stability at the back, while experienced goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher will likely be the first choice between the posts, offering reliability and leadership.
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| Image credit - Mike Carlson/AP |
The alternates, including Lynn Williams and Jane Campbell, are ready to step in if needed, showing the depth of talent in the team. Croix Bethune and Hal Hershfelt, though not in the main squad, have shown promise and could be future stars.
According to coach Hayes, The team has been going all out in their preparations for the Olympics. They've been hitting the training sessions hard and even squeezing in some friendly matches to sharpen up their skills. Coach Hayes has been laser-focused on creating a tight-knit group, making sure each player knows their role and understands the team's overall game plan.
Now that the team is heading to Paris, there's a real sense of excitement and anticipation in the air. Sure, there's been some controversy swirling around Albert, but that hasn't shaken the team's unity or their determination to succeed. Fans are crossing their fingers, hoping that the team can overcome any obstacles that come their way and bring home the gold.
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