The USWNT “craves a superstar”, claims former heroes, with the likes of Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith ready to step up in Alex Morgan’s absence.
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Veteran performers overlooked for GamesPlenty of potential at Hayes' disposalLeader of new generation requiredGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Emma Hayes opted to leave World Cup winner Morgan out of her squad for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. There is still plenty of experience in the United States’ ranks, but they are also building around future potential.
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Rodman, Smith and Jaedyn Shaw fit into that category, and they are being challenged to become the next national team icons. Christen Press has told , with 224-cap forward Morgan being overlooked: “You’re talking about the face of the team, and that’s a role and that’s a responsibility. So you’re talking about a player that not only has to perform and be outstanding and generally score goals, but also has to really represent the team off the field. It’s the person who gets all the sponsorships, it’s the person that does all the press conferences. There’s kind of a plight to that and then there’s obviously a lot of economic upside and stardom and fame, so there’s good and bad and ugly.
“Alex not being on the roster is a very interesting place for the team because if you think of the U.S. women’s national team history, you’ve got Mia [Hamm], Abby [Wambach], Alex and all of these players really bled into each other and before the player rolled off, the next one had already emerged. But with the last World Cup performance being so poor, and without any of the players really having that big moment, there’s kind of this vacancy and it’s a huge opportunity looking into this tournament. Who’s going to rise to the occasion?”
GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Another USWNT legend, Tobin Heath, added: “I think our country craves having a superstar. We don’t have teams where like, everybody’s just kind of good and some players will kind of be better at some point than others. No, our country is born on sports superstars. And right now, that’s up for the taking in my opinion. Our superstar could be made.”
WHAT NEXT?
The USWNT are due to get their bid for Olympic gold medal glory up and running against Zambia on Thursday. They have not emerged triumphant in that competition since 2012, with ex-Chelsea boss Hayes charged with the task of delivering tangible success in her first tournament at the helm.