Alex Morgan shares excitement to join USWNT for Gold Cup, well wishes for Mia Fishel

As the United States Women’s National Team gears up for the CONCACAF W Gold Cup, a familiar face is coming back to the squad for an unfortunate reason. With 22-year-old forward Mia Fishel tearing her ACL in practice, decorated forward Alex Morgan is joining the team.

A veteran forward with two World Cup titles and an Olympic gold medal among her trophy cabinet, the 34-year-old Morgan brings an experienced, proven presence to replace the up-and-coming Fishel. She shared her excitement to get back, even with the tinge of injury looming over proceedings.

“Not how I would wish to come into camp but ready to get to work! Praying for a speedy recovery,” Morgan said on social media, tagging Fishel.

Morgan currently plays professionally in the National Women’s Soccer League, captaining the San Diego Wave. During an extensive professional soccer career that began in 2010, Morgan has played for a number of clubs domestically and abroad, playing in top leagues in both England and France.

Morgan also debuted for the USWNT in 2010 and has been a part of the program since. She’s scored nine goals at the World Cup for the United States among her 121 career goals, fifth-most in the history of the USWNT. She’s played 215 career caps, 10th-most in USWNT history.

Despite being named to the roster on Tuesday, just a day after Fishel’s injury, Morgan will be available for the USWNT in its Tuesday night game against the Dominican Republic in California. By rule, she will have to wear the same jersey number as Fishel, and will don the No. 7 jersey.

“As we start this tournament, we’re fortunate to be able to add a player like Alex to the roster,” USWNT interim coach Twila Kilgore said in a release announcing the move. “Her accomplishments speak for themselves, she’s been training extremely hard with the Wave in preseason, and I know she’ll be more than ready to contribute in this tournament.”

Even with Morgan’s arrival, it’s still been a disappointment for the USWNT camp to see Fishel go down for the foreseeable future.

“I’m gutted for Mia, and I know the team and the entire staff is as well,” Kilgore said in the release. “She’s been very effective in camp and has worked hard to make an impact. Since she’s been getting call-ups to the National Team, she’s shown a tremendous growth mindset, a desire to absorb information and has been a total team player. I know she’ll come back strong and hopefully be in the mix for the next World Cup.”