Alex Morgan Has a New Coach — Landon Donovan

Alex Morgan has a new coach for her NWSL team, the San Diego Wave – former U.S.  men’s star Landon Donovan – and you have to wonder whether he can spur the former Cal soccer star to a resurgence.

The first match Morgan and the Wave will play under interim head coach Donovan will be Tuesday, August 20, against Santa Fe FC in Panama for the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Last month, the 42-year-old Donovan spoke at length about the decision to leave Morgan off the U.S. Olympic team, noting that he went through something similar and how difficult it had to be for Morgan to accept.

“I’m really sad and heartbroken for Alex,” Donovon said shortly after U.S. coach Emma Hayes named the U.S. Olympic squad that did not include the 35-year-old Morgan. “I’ve been in those shoes. She has done so much for our women’s national team and U.S. soccer in general.

“I just hope this doesn’t define her. I hope she doesn’t define herself by this. It’s going to be a hard pill for her to swallow for sure. She’s a really strong woman, and I know she’ll be OK.”