LOS ANGELES — Alex Morgan was left off the roster for next month women's Olympic tournament in France, likely ending one of the most spectacular careers in U.S. soccer history.

Morgan, who will turn 35 next week, ranks among the top 10 in national team history in games (224), goals (123) and assists (53) and is a two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist. But an ankle injury has limited the forward to 213 minutes with her club team, the San Diego Wave, since mid-April and she has no goals and just one assist in eight appearances during the NWSL season.

"Today, I'm disappointed about not having the opportunity to represent our country on the Olympic stage," Morgan wrote in a social media post. "This will always be a tournament that is close to my heart and I take immense pride any time I put on the crest. In less than a month, I look forward to supporting this team."

Morgan, the eighth-best goal scorer, male or female, in international soccer history, has a club option for 2025 remaining on her contract with the Wave, but she will be 38 by the time the next major championship, the 2027 World Cup, starts.

Missing the cut for Paris marks the first time Morgan has been left off the U.S. roster for a major world championship since the 2008 Olympics. But with just 18 spots on the Olympic team, as opposed to 23 for the World Cup, new U.S. coach Emma Hayes couldn't afford to be sentimental.

"It's not easy making a decision when there's only 16 outfield players and two goalkeepers on a roster of 18," Hayes said. "So it was a tough decision, especially considering Alex's history and record with this team. But I wanted to go in another direction."

Versatility was also a factor, Hayes said, since the U.S. will have to play seven games in 17 days if it reaches the final.

"Having a roster that you know could adapt is essential," she said. "We have a tight turnaround between games so having players you know could play more than one position matters."

The U.S. will go to France ranked fifth in the world by FIFA, the team's lowest ranking ever.

The five forwards Hayes took over Morgan include Portland's Sophia Smith, the top scorer in the NWSL the past two seasons and the league's most valuable player in 2022; Chicago's Mallory Swanson, who led the national team with seven goals in six games last year; and teenager Jaedyn Shaw, Morgan's club teammate in San Diego, who leads the U.S. with five goals this season.

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