The Emma Hayes era for the USWNT began with a decisive 4-0 victory over 20th-ranked South Korea in a friendly match Saturday in Commerce City, Colorado, but the absence of star player Alex Morgan caught many by surprise. Concerns arose among fans, especially with the Olympics just a month away.

USWNT manager Emma Hayes, addressing the media post-match, clarified the situation surrounding Morgan's absence. Hayes said that there was no reason for alarm and that Morgan's non-participation was a precautionary measure. According to Hayes, “We shouldn't make anything” of Morgan's absence, explaining that it was to prevent Morgan from straining her pelvic area, via @statsandedits on X, formerly Twitter. Hayes said that Morgan is expected to play in the upcoming friendly Tuesday against South Korea.

Hayes addressed Morgan’s situation directly, telling reporters, “(She) felt yesterday – this is an important issue to raise – maybe stretching a little bit her pelvic area. … I told her yesterday I'm not going to take any risks today, because I want her to play Tuesday.”

The team’s performance without Morgan was notably strong, with Mallory Swanson and Tierna Davidson each scoring twice. Swanson scored in the 34th and 74th minutes, while Davidson added goals in the 38th and 48th minutes,  as reported by Jonathan Tannenwald of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The U.S. team dominated the match, outshooting South Korea 15-4. Davidson’s goals were her second and third in 58 U.S. appearances.

Emma Hayes expect Alex Morgan to play in next friendly

The match marked the first of only two games before Hayes must finalize her Olympic roster. Her initial lineup decisions, including moving Catarina Macario to an attacking midfield role and positioning Sophia Smith as a central striker, were notable. This allowed Swanson and Trinity Rodman to start as wingers, showcasing a dynamic attacking force.

Swanson and Smith, both hailing from the Denver suburbs along with U.S. captain Lindsey Horan, received enthusiastic support from the crowd of 19,010. Swanson and Smith’s chemistry was evident in the opening goal, with Smith setting up Swanson. Swanson's second goal, assisted by substitute Rose Lavelle, further demonstrated the team's depth.

Hayes utilized all six substitutions. Casey Krueger replaced Emily Fox at right back at halftime, and a quadruple swap in the 61st minute saw Shaw, Sam Staab, Lavelle and Crystal Dunn enter the game. Dunn’s deployment as a right winger, a position she played earlier in her career, was a notable change, reflecting Hayes’ experimental approach to maximize the team’s offensive options.

Six players, including Morgan, did not play: backup goalkeepers Casey Murphy and Aubrey Kingsbury, versatile defender Emily Sonnett, and young midfielders Hal Hershfelt and Lily Yohannes.

The win over South Korea was encouraging, showcasing the team’s capabilities even without one of its key players. The next friendly against South Korea in St. Paul, Minnesota, will provide another opportunity for Hayes to refine her strategies before Paris and for Morgan to rejoin the lineup.

Following the South Korea friendlies, the team will have a short rest period before playing two matches against Mexico and Costa Rica in mid-July. The USWNT will then kick off their Olympic campaign against Zambia in Nice July 25, followed by matches against Germany and Australia.