Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF

Emma Hayes' Words Squashes Rumored Alex Morgan Rift

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Oct 23, 2025 2:18 PM ET

Alex Morgan will be honored at the USWNT vs Portugal friendly match tonight after a year fully retired from professional soccer. The former USWNT star has been viewed as the star of the USWNT for many years.

Morgan received a ceremony last month with the San Diego Wave FC as the club decided to retire her iconic number 13 shirt.

Many soccer players in the USWNT respect Alex Morgan for her trajectory over the years. One name that some fans were surprised to hear from is the USWNT head coach Emma Hayes.

Hayes was appointed as the USWNT head coach in late 2023 and had the opportunity to coach Alex Morgan. Her first major tournament as the USWNT coach was the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.

One of the biggest surprises Hayes caused was not calling up Alex Morgan for the Olympics USWNT roster, which sparked controversy and rumors that the two didn't get along.

Head coach Emma Hayes of the United States women's national team talks with Alex Morgan during USWNT training at Prentup Field on May 29, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

Ahead of the Alex Morgan retirement ceremony and the USWNT taking on Portugal's women's team, Hayes praised Morgan and acknowledged her legacy.

Emma Hayes on the importance of Alex Morgan

Despite fans still questioning Hayes' decision to keep Alex Morgan out of the USWNT Olympics roster, the USWNT head coach praised Alex Morgan in a press conference ahead of the USWNT vs Portugal match.

Hayes calls Morgan fundamental in U.S. soccer and considers her a very popular figure in the United States.

Hayes said, "There was nothing [Alex Morgan] didn't achieve. She was a player that epitomised everything this program is about...You can't go anywhere in this country without them talking about Alex Morgan."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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