In a heartfelt announcement, Alex Morgan, the forward for the U.S. Women’s National Team and the San Diego Wave, revealed that she will be retiring from professional soccer as she and her husband, Servando Carrasco, are expecting their second child. The 35-year-old soccer star shared the news in a video posted on her social media accounts on Thursday, confirming that she will play her final match with the San Diego Wave this Sunday against the North Carolina Courage at home.
“I have so much clarity about this decision, and I’m thrilled to finally share it with you,” Morgan expressed. “This decision has been a long time in the making and wasn’t easy to reach. At the start of 2024, I felt deep down in my heart and soul that this was going to be my last season playing soccer. Soccer has been a part of my life for 30 years, and it was one of the first loves I ever experienced. I poured everything I had into this sport, and in return, I received more than I could have ever imagined.”
Her last game with the USWNT took place in June, prior to the Olympics, where she contributed to a 3-0 victory over South Korea in Minnesota. Coach Emma Hayes made headlines for her decision to exclude Morgan from the Olympic roster, which led Morgan to remain with the Wave during the summer months.
Since joining the Wave in 2022, Morgan has previously played for the Orlando Pride and Portland Thorns FC in the NWSL, along with international stints at Lyon in 2017 and Tottenham during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout her illustrious career, she has achieved remarkable success, retiring as a two-time World Cup champion with the USWNT in 2015 and 2019, as well as a two-time Olympic medalist—winning gold in 2012 and bronze in 2021. Over her 224 appearances for the national team, Morgan netted an impressive 123 goals, placing her ninth on the all-time list for appearances and fifth for goals scored in the program’s history.
Morgan’s journey began with the United States U-20 team in 2008, during her early collegiate career at the University of California, Berkeley. She made her senior national team debut on March 31, 2010, against Mexico. At just 22 years old, she was the youngest player on the 2011 World Cup squad, scoring her first goal in the tournament during a 3-1 semifinal win and opening the scoring in the final match against Japan. This performance solidified her position on the USWNT for over a decade, as she emerged as a natural successor to Abby Wambach at the striker position. Morgan’s club career commenced that same year, marking the beginning of her diverse journey through five different teams from 2011 to 2017.
Regardless of her club affiliations, Morgan consistently delivered for the national team, becoming the face of the women’s soccer program. She earned accolades such as the U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year in 2012 and landed on the FIFA World Player of the Year shortlist that same year. Her individual achievements are numerous, including being named a four-time CONCACAF Player of the Year, a six-time member of the FIFPro Women’s World 11, and the 2022 NWSL Golden Boot winner. Furthermore, she was honored as a member of the USWNT All-Time Best XI in 2013.
“I grew up within this team; it has meant so much more to me than just soccer,” Morgan stated in U.S. Soccer’s official release regarding her retirement. “The friendships I formed, the unwavering respect and support we shared, the relentless push for global investment in women’s sports, and our pivotal moments of success—both on and off the field—have shaped my experience. I am incredibly honored to have represented this crest for over 15 years. I’ve learned so much about myself during this time, and I owe much of that growth to my teammates and our fans. I take immense pride in the direction this team is heading, and I will always remain a fan of the USWNT. My drive for success has always fueled me, but what I received in return was beyond anything I ever anticipated or hoped for.”
In addition to her on-field accomplishments, Morgan has made significant contributions off the field, notably leading the charge for equal pay for the USWNT players. She was one of five players who filed the initial Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint that ignited the long-standing battle in 2016, culminating in a lawsuit against U.S. Soccer in 2019.
Beyond the fight for equal pay, Morgan has played a crucial role in advocating for player safety in the NWSL. She was a key witness for Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly, as they bravely shared their experiences of abuse within the league. Morgan not only went on record but also worked diligently behind the scenes to encourage the league to implement protections against harassment and abuses of power. She even shared emails between Shim, Farrelly, and then-commissioner Lisa Baird that demonstrated the league’s awareness of the players’ attempts to come forward.
“If we don’t fight tooth and nail for ourselves, we’ve seen that we won’t receive anything,” Morgan emphasized in an interview with The Athletic in 2021.
With her retirement announcement, Morgan leaves the game having made it better for future generations of players. Her legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire.
Required Reading
- Alex Morgan’s Top Five USWNT Moments as Striker Announces Retirement
- USWNT Achieving Olympic Success Without Alex Morgan, Yet Her Impact Extends Beyond On-Field Wins
(Photo: C. Morgan Engel / Getty Images)
