(Reuters) – Alex Morgan, a long-time player on the U.S. women’s team, has been named to the roster for the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup following an injury to Mia Fishel that occurred during training, U.S. Soccer announced on Tuesday.
Fishel suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during training on Monday, allowing Morgan to take her spot on the team for the tournament opener against the Dominican Republic on Tuesday.
“As we start this tournament, we’re fortunate to be able to add a player like Alex to the roster,” said U.S. interim head coach Twila Kilgore.
“Her accomplishments speak for themselves, she’s been training extremely hard with the (NWSL’s San Diego) Wave in preseason, and I know she’ll be more than ready to contribute in this tournament.”
Morgan’s exclusion from the initial roster raised questions about her availability for the Paris Olympics later this year.
The 34-year-old Morgan, known for scoring crucial goals, has been a key member of U.S. teams that won two World Cups (2015, 2019) and an Olympic gold medal in 2012.
Morgan has earned 215 caps, with 121 career international goals, placing her fifth on the U.S. women’s all-time scorers list.
After their tournament opener, the U.S. women’s team will play against Argentina on Friday before facing Mexico on Monday to close out the group stage.
The top two finishers in each of the three CONCACAF W Gold Cup groups, along with the two best third-placed teams, will qualify for the knockout stage.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Toby Davis)
