Fansided

5 USWNT players who have played their last game and who will replace them

By Caden Charpentier

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Megan Rapinoe of USA misses her team's fourth penalty in the penalty shoot out during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne / Naarm, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Megan Rapinoe of USA misses her team's fourth penalty in the penalty shoot out during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne / Naarm, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) /
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 06: Alex Morgan #13 of the United States during extra time of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and the United States at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 06: Alex Morgan #13 of the United States during extra time of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and the United States at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images for USSF) /

4. Alex Morgan

USWNT Replacement: Mia Fishel

211 caps in the books for her national team and forward Alex Morgan is tied with Mia Hamm when it comes to goals per 90 on the international level. That is special, and no matter how people think she played this summer, her legacy remains the same — proficiency in the final third.

Following the defeat to Sweden in the knockout round of the 2023 World Cup, Morgan made it clear she does not want to comment on her future going forward at the international level, saying that while she does not plan on hanging up her boots anytime soon, she is taking things day by day. The longevity and consistency as a forward on the best team in the world is what No. 13 will always be remembered for when that time does come.

She may have another Olympics in her, but the reality is another World Cup is probably out of her reach. If you are going to replace Morgan, a consistent number of goals in addition to leading the line has to be the focus. There is going to have to be some shift in formation due to the amount of attacking talent coming into this team. With all these creators on the flanks and in the midfield like Sophia Smith, Catarina Macario, and Mallory Swanson, a born No. 9 playing down the middle would make for something special. Good thing the U.S. youth ranks has someone like that.

Mia Fishel, one of the newest additions to Emma Hayes’ Chelsea Women was drafted No. 5 overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft. She instead opted to join Tigres UANL in Liga MX Femenil. All she did was score 38 goals in 48 league games with the Mexican outfit before earning a massive transfer to her dream club in England.

Morgan still seen as quality as she is has kept Fishel out of selection. Now, with her in the spotlight in West London, the USWNT coaching staff cannot ignore the 22-year-old. The way she adjusts her body, holds the ball up, and finishes with such composure make up the potential next great U.S. No. 9.