USMNT: Former Crew MF Aidan Morris declined release for Olympic games by Middlesbrough FC
Former Crew midfielder Aidan Morris was excluded from being selected for the recently announced United States men's soccer Olympic roster, as his new club, England's Middlesbrough FC, opted against releasing him to participate, sources said.
During the time the Olympics are scheduled to take place, July 24 to Aug. 11, Middlesbrough will be preparing for the start of English Football League Championship season, with its season opener on Aug. 10.
Before departing for Middlesbrough on June 28, Morris was one of the top candidates to make the 18-player roster for the Olympics, as he took part in multiple U-23 training camps and friendlies leading up to this summer.
Since the Olympics are excluded from FIFA's international calendar, clubs have the option of declining the release of players to participate in the event. Other tournaments, such as the World Cup and Copa America, take place during FIFA's international windows, meaning clubs must let players participate.
Without Morris, Patrick Schulte will be the only player on the United States roster with ties to the Crew, as it was announced on Saturday that Columbus' goalkeeper was making the trip to Paris.
Get more Columbus Crew content by listening to our podcast
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Aidan Morris excluded from United States men's soccer Olympic roster
