In a heartfelt announcement, Alex Morgan, the forward for the United States women’s national team, shared that she is retiring from soccer. She made the announcement through a video on social media on Thursday.
Morgan also revealed some exciting news—she is pregnant and expecting her second child. Before stepping away from the sport, she will play one final game this Sunday when San Diego Wave FC takes on North Carolina Courage.
In the video, Morgan expressed how certain she feels about this decision. “It has been a long time coming, and this decision wasn’t easy,” she said. “But at the start of 2024, I knew in my heart this would be my last season.”
At 35 years old, Morgan has had an incredible career. She is a two-time World Cup champion and an Olympic gold medalist. She ranks fifth in USWNT history with 123 goals in 224 appearances. Even though she was left off the 2024 Olympics roster, Morgan remained a key player for the team this year.
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Morgan’s journey with the USWNT began in 2010. She scored a crucial goal in Italy during a World Cup playoff, helping the U.S. qualify for the 2011 tournament.
She quickly became a starter and formed a strong partnership with Abby Wambach, leading the team to a second-place finish in the 2011 World Cup and a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics.
Reflecting on her time with the national team, Morgan said, “I grew up on this team; it was so much more than soccer.” She spoke about the friendships, the fight for women’s sports, and the many successes both on and off the field. “I am so incredibly honored to have worn the crest for more than 15 years.”
Morgan also shared her struggles with injuries, especially before the 2015 World Cup. Despite those challenges, she helped the team win the title. She also tied for the most goals in the 2019 World Cup, scoring six times, including five in a single game against Thailand.
In 2023, Morgan played in her fourth and final World Cup, where the USWNT was eliminated in the round of 16 for the first time. Although her playing days are coming to an end, Morgan’s legacy in soccer and her impact on the game will be remembered for years to come.
Alex Morgan: A Legendary Soccer Career
Alexandra Morgan Carrasco, born on July 2, 1989, is an iconic American soccer player who has made an immense impact on the sport. As a striker for the San Diego Wave FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), she also serves as the team’s captain.
Throughout her career, she co-captained the United States national team alongside Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe from 2018 to 2020, cementing her role as a leader both on and off the field.
Morgan’s journey to soccer stardom began after she graduated early from the University of California, Berkeley, where she played for the California Golden Bears.
In 2011, she was drafted number one overall by the Western New York Flash in the WPS Draft. Morgan made her professional debut with the team and contributed to their league championship win.
At just 22 years old, she became the youngest player on the U.S. national team during the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where the team finished as runner-up.
One of Morgan’s most memorable moments came during the 2012 London Olympics. She scored the match-winning goal in the 123rd minute of the semi-final against Canada, a game many still talk about. In 2012, she recorded 28 goals and 21 assists, becoming the youngest U.S. player to score 20 goals in a season.
She joined the legendary Mia Hamm as one of the only American women to reach both 20 goals and 20 assists in the same year. Her outstanding performance earned her the title of U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year and a spot as a finalist for FIFA World Player of the Year.
Morgan was a key player in the U.S. team’s victories at both the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cups. She was named to the Dream Team in both tournaments and took home the Silver Boot in 2019 as one of the top scorers.
On the club level, Morgan joined Portland Thorns FC in the NWSL’s debut season in 2013, helping them secure the league championship. After her time with the Thorns, she moved to Orlando Pride and later signed with French powerhouse Lyon in 2017, where she helped the team win the UEFA Women’s Champions League as part of a treble-winning season.
In 2022, she joined San Diego Wave FC, where she won the NWSL Golden Boot for being the league’s top scorer and helped the team win the NWSL Shield the next year.
Off the field, Morgan is also known for her contributions to literature and entertainment. She teamed up with Simon & Schuster to write The Kicks, a middle-grade book series about four soccer players.
The first book, Saving the Team, hit The New York Times Best Seller list in 2013. In 2018, she made her acting debut in the film Alex & Me, where she played a fictional version of herself.
In addition to her athletic and creative achievements, Morgan has been recognized for her influence in the world of sports. In 2015, Time named her the highest-paid American women’s soccer player, thanks to her numerous endorsements.
She made history as one of the first female soccer players to appear on the cover of the FIFA video game series alongside Lionel Messi. Morgan was also included in Time’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in both 2019 and 2022.
On September 5, 2024, Morgan announced her decision to retire from soccer, with her last match scheduled for September 8, 2024. Her legacy as one of the greatest soccer players of all time will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations of athletes to come.
Alex Morgan’s Personal Life: Family, Challenges, and Advocacy
Alex Morgan married fellow soccer player Servando Carrasco on New Year’s Eve in 2014. The couple first met while attending UC Berkeley, where both were standout soccer players.
In October 2019, they announced they were expecting their first child, a baby girl, who was born on May 7, 2020. During her retirement announcement on September 5, 2024, Morgan also revealed the exciting news that she is pregnant again, expecting their second child.
Morgan’s nickname, “Baby Horse,” given to her by her teammates on the U.S. women’s national team, reflects her speed, youthful energy, and unique running style.
While it is no longer used, the nickname was a testament to her early years on the team. She received the key to the city of her hometown, Diamond Bar, California, in January 2016 as a recognition of her success and contributions to the sport.
However, Morgan has faced some challenges off the field. In October 2017, she was involved in an incident at Epcot in Bay Lake, Florida, where she and a group of fellow athletes were described as “impaired and verbally aggressive” toward staff and guests. Although no charges were filed, Morgan and the group were given trespass warnings, banning them from Disney property.
After the incident, Morgan issued a public apology, stating she would learn from the experience and ensure it wouldn’t happen again.
Beyond soccer, Morgan is committed to philanthropy. In September 2017, she and teammate Megan Rapinoe were the first female players in the U.S. to join the Common Goal campaign, initiated by Manchester United’s Juan Mata. The campaign encourages players to donate 1% of their wages to soccer-related charities.
A dedicated vegan, Morgan was named one of PETA’s “Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities of 2019,” sharing the honor with NBA star Kyrie Irving. Her commitment to health and animal rights has made her a role model for many, both on and off the soccer field.