America rocked by Olympics news with Sam Kerr’s partner in huge drama

America has been divided by a “seismic” announcement ahead of the Olympics with Sam Kerr’s fiancee learning devastating news.

America has been rocked by the “seismic" decision to dump the country’s biggest football star for the Paris Olympics.

US Women’s National Team (USWNT) icon Alex Morgan was left out of the country’s squad for the Olympics with new coach Emma Hayes coming under fire for several controversial decisions.

While Morgan’s wealth of international experience made a compelling case for a spot on the roster, her age, a recent ankle injury and this year’s goal drought kept her off the roster.

Adrianna Franch, Abby Dahlkemper, Kristie Mewis and Becky Sauerbrunn — who captained the USWNT at the Tokyo Olympics — were the other surprising omissions from the roster.

Mewis, who is engaged to Matildas captain Sam Kerr, was always up against stiff competition to earn a spot after a challenging 2023-24 season, but the news will still be a devastating blow.

Mewis in March spoke about her excitement in working with Hayes this year.

Kerr will also miss the tournament after suffering a serious knee injury earlier this year.

The Paris Games, which begin on July 26, will be the first time the USWNT has entered a major tournament without Morgan, 34, since 2008.

Morgan is the team’s active leading goal scorer with 123 goals while representing her country, but Hayes has instead elected to usher in a new era for the team.

Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis won’t be at the Olympics Picture: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/CdtfECNp3Fz/?hl=en

Matildas star Sam Kerr is engaged to Kristie Mewis. Photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/CdtfECNp3Fz/?hl=en

Hayes opted for Trinity Rodman, Jaedyn Shaw, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson as her main forward options in the squad which is looking to secure a fifth Olympic gold and a first since 2012.

Morgan was part of the USA team which won gold at the London Games in 2012 and was also a key part of the 2015 and 2019 World Cup winning teams.

“I’m disappointed about not having the opportunity to represent our country on the Olympic stage. This will always be a tournament that is close to my heart and I take immense pride any time I put on the crest,” Morgan said in a social media post.

“In less than a month, I look forward to supporting this team and cheering them on alongside the rest of our country,” she added.

Notably, Morgan has not retired from international football and she still holds out hope of returning to the team in the future.

Hayes said that Morgan was an “amazing player and human” and said it had been a tough decision.

“I’ve only had one opportunity to work with her in the last camp and I saw firsthand not just her qualities but her professionalism and her record speaks for itself,” she said.

“It’s not easy making a decision when there’s only 16 outfield players and two goalkeepers on a roster of 18 so it was a tough decision of course.

Alex Morgan. Photo by Sean M. Haffey / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP.

Alex Morgan. Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images.

“Especially considering Alex’s history and record with this team, but I felt I wanted to go in another direction and selected other players,” she added.

The forward had initially been left out of the USA team for the recent CONCACAF W Gold Cup campaign but was a late call-up as a replacement after injuries.

Hayes, who is English, took charge of the USA side last month after finishing her hugely successful spell with Chelsea.

Korbin Albert, the 20-year-old midfielder who came under fire after controversial social media posts on LGBT issues, was selected in the squad.

“I think she has had a really tough time and that has shown in her performances....she’s a young person and having to deal with a lot of criticism, rightfully so,” said Hayes who said the Paris Saint-Germain player had been selected on merit.

“But I can say firsthand, having spent a limited time with Korbin, that she really is a lovely person,” added Hayes, who said Albert was “spending time working on herself”.

“I want the fans to really embrace Korbin because I do think she is a tremendous human being,” she added.

Fans have been divided by the selections, with many left angry by the decision to overlook Morgan.

The New York Times described it as a “seismic” decision.

Less than a year ago, Fox made a statue of Alex Morgan to promote the Women's World Cup.

Today, the USWNT veteran was left off the Olympic team.

Fewer moves more starkly illustrate the new direction of new coach @emmahayes1. https://t.co/PxyLGO1S66

— Rachel Bachman (@Bachscore) June 26, 2024

I think the part ima struggling with in regards to Alex Morgan being left off the Olympic roster is this:

1) She’s the reason the US qualified for the Olympics.

2) She’s been an asset to this team for over a decade. She hasn’t missed a major international tournament since 2008.…

— Dakota Moyer (@DakotaMoyer02) June 26, 2024

Wow no Alex Morgan. I mean, I get it, but it’s still crazy lol a coach who dgaf if you’re a big name or a vet if you aren’t performing. It’s about damn time tbh! https://t.co/uFridP1e5J

— d ⎊ (@awfcdreamer) June 26, 2024

How does Alex Morgan not make the National Soccer Team??? How is that possible....

— Jennifer 💕 (@JenniferNYC) June 26, 2024

Before heading to France, the USA will play friendlies against Mexico in New Jersey on July 13 and then three days later Costa Rica in Washington D.C.

At the Olympics, the USA have been drawn in Group B where they will face Zambia, Germany and Australia.

Full squad: Goalkeepers: Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars) Defenders: Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC) Midfielders: Korbin Albert (PSG), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Lyon), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Catarina Macario (Chelsea) Forwards: Crystal Dunn (Gotham FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars)

— with AFP

Originally published as America rocked by Olympics news with Sam Kerr’s partner in huge drama