Alex Morgan, a prominent scorer and iconic figure in the history of the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT), has announced her retirement from professional soccer. The announcement comes with the news of her pregnancy with her second child. Morgan will play her final match on September 8 against North Carolina Courage at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.
Reflecting on her time with the team, Morgan expressed deep gratitude, stating, “I grew up on this team, it was so much more than soccer.” She highlighted the relationships she built, the advocacy for women’s sports, and the successes achieved together. Morgan, who joined the USWNT in 2009 at 20 years old, emphasized her honor in wearing the national crest for over 15 years.
Throughout her illustrious 15-year career, Morgan made a significant impact, becoming one of the all-time leading goal scorers for the USWNT with 123 goals, placing her fifth in the team’s history. She recorded 53 assists, ranking ninth all-time. With a record of 177 wins, 15 losses, and 32 draws in matches she played, her contributions were both numerous and vital.
Morgan scored in 86 of her 224 international appearances, and notably, her team never lost a match in which she found the net. Additionally, her combined 176 goals and assists place her fifth in the annals of USWNT history.
Making her debut goal against China in 2010, Morgan scored against 32 countries, with her highest tally being 12 against Japan. She concluded her USWNT journey on June 4, 2024, with her last goal coming against Argentina in February 2024 during the Concacaf W Gold Cup.
In her career, Morgan reached critical milestones, including a standout performance at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup and a pivotal goal during the 2012 Olympics that secured a dramatic win against Canada. She had an outstanding year in 2012, scoring 28 goals and providing 21 assists, a feat only achieved previously by Mia Hamm.
Morgan received numerous accolades over her career, including two U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year awards, multiple selections to the FIFA FIFPRO World XI, and recognition as Concacaf Female Player of the Year. She was instrumental in the USWNT’s triumphs in the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cups, scoring vital goals along the way.
At the club level, Morgan was a leading figure in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and had successful stints in Europe, including a championship run with Olympique Lyon in 2017. She began her NWSL career with the Portland Thorns, securing the inaugural title, and later played for the Orlando Pride and the San Diego Wave, where she scored 22 goals and earned the NWSL Golden Boot in 2022.
Born in San Dimas, California, Morgan honed her skills through youth soccer before playing at the University of California, Berkeley, where she achieved multiple honors and accolades. She later married Servando Carrasco, a fellow Cal soccer player.
In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Morgan has made a mark as an author and advocate. She established the Alex Morgan Foundation to promote equity and opportunity for girls and women in sports. Her influence will undoubtedly resonate for years to come as she transitions into her new role as a mother.