Alex Morgan returns to USWNT after Mia Fishel injury, and could play in Gold Cup opener

Alex Morgan will be with the U.S. women for the Concacaf Gold Cup after all, called up to replace Mia Fishel after Fishel tore her ACL during training.

The replacement was announced Tuesday afternoon, hours before the USWNT opens the tournament against the Dominican Republic. Morgan is eligible to play in the game, but tournament rules dictate she wear the No. 7 assigned to Fishel rather than her usual No. 13.

The Americans also have group-stage games against Argentina on Friday and Mexico on Monday. The knockout rounds begin March 2.

Morgan is the USWNT's active leading scorer with 121 goals. But she was scoreless at the World Cup and has just two goals in her last 18 appearances, and interim coach Twila Kilgore passed Morgan over for both a pair of friendlies against China in December and the initial Gold Cup roster.

But Kilgore, who is in charge of the USWNT until new coach Emma Hayes finishes her season at Chelsea, said Morgan was not out of the mix for the Paris Olympics.

Now Morgan will have a chance to make her case directly.

"We’re fortunate to be able to add a player like Alex to the roster," Kilgore said. "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.”

Fishel tore her ACL during training Monday. The injury is a blow to the team since Fishel has been in impressive form for both club and country. Fishel made her first appearance for the USWNT in September — coming on as a sub for Morgan — and had one goal in her first three games. She also has two goals for Chelsea this season, including one in the Champions League.

While Fishel will miss the Paris Olympics, the 22-year-old is expected to be a key part of the USWNT's next generation.

"I’m gutted for Mia, and I know the team and the entire staff is as well,” Kilgore said. “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."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alex Morgan is back with the USWNT for the first time since October