Alex Morgan.Photo:Fiona Goodall - FIFA/FIFA via Getty

Alex Morgan of USA poses for a photo with her VISA Player of the Match award after the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

Fiona Goodall - FIFA/FIFA via Getty

The Round-of-16 loss was the earliest the two-time defending World Cup champions had ever exited the tournament.

A longtime powerhouse in international soccer, the USWNT was attempting to win an unprecedented three-straight World Cup titles – something no country has ever done before in either men’s or women’s soccer.

“It hurts and it will for a while but this wound will eventually turn into a scar,” Morgan wrote. “Another reminder that we compete because we want to be the best, measure ourselves against the top in the world. This time, we came up short. We know that and I own that.”

Alex Morgan.Robin Alam/USSF/Getty

Alex Morgan #13 of the United States controls the ball against Amanda Ilestedt #13 of Sweden during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

Robin Alam/USSF/Getty

Alex Morgan.Alex Pantling - FIFA/FIFA via Getty

Alex Morgan of The United States shows her emotions after being knocked out during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16

Alex Pantling - FIFA/FIFA via Getty

The USWNT roster saw one of its biggest turnovers ever coming into this year’s World Cup, raising questions about how the team’s new, younger stars would fit in with veteran players, like Morgan and Rapinoe, who had been part of the team’s previous World Cup wins.A total of 14 players made their World Cup debut, while Rapinoe and other familiar faces like defenderKelley O’Haraplayed in substitute roles off the bench.

USWNT.Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty

UGUST 6: (Back row from left to right) Emily Fox, Andi Sullivan, Alex Morgan, Alyssa Naeher, Julie Ertz, Trinity Rodman, (front row from left to right) Emily Sonnett, Sophia Smith, Lindsey Horan, Crystal Dunn and Naomi Girma of USA line up for the team photos ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty

After the tournament,Morgan declaredshe wasn’t ready to retire and plans to be around for the next World Cup.“There is no greater honor than representing my country,” she wrote Thursday on Instagram. “I value and embrace the responsibility that comes along with wearing this crest. I have never taken this opportunity for granted and never will.”

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Morgan added she hopes the USWNT will use this year’s World Cup loss as a learning experience to get better.

“To carry scars is not a sign of weakness but a reminder that you fell and found a way to get back up,” she wrote. “There is a lot of work to do and I don’t expect it to be easy but nothing worth fighting for ever is.”

source: people.com