U.S. soccer star Alex Morgan retires, leaving behind an impactful legacy

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Alex Morgan, a two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist, announced her retirement from professional soccer after an illustrious 15-year career.

The 35-year-old athlete, who is currently expecting her second child, made the emotional announcement on Sept. 5 in a video posted to social media.

“This decision wasn’t easy, but at the beginning of 2024, I felt in my heart and soul that this was the last season that I would play soccer,” she said in her video announcement.

“Soccer has been a part of me for 30 years and it was one of the first things that I ever loved. And I gave everything to this sport, and what I got in return was more than I could have ever dreamed of.”

Morgan’s final match took place on Sept. 8 at Snapdragon Stadium, where she played for the San Diego Wave of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), a team she has been with since 2022.

Her retirement marks the end of an era for a player who helped shape the future of women’s soccer, both through her on-field achievements and off-field activism.

Throughout her career, Morgan made significant contributions to the U.S. women’s national team, winning World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, as well as a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics and a bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

One of her most iconic moments came in 2012, when she scored a game-winning goal against Canada in the Olympic semifinal, securing the U.S. a spot in the final. In 2019, her celebration of a decisive goal against England, where she mimed sipping tea, became an indelible moment in World Cup history.

Morgan’s career stats are equally impressive. She appeared in 224 matches for the U.S. national team, scoring 123 goals and providing 53 assists. Her impact earned her the title of “U.S. Soccer Player of the Year” in 2012 and 2018.

Along the way, Morgan also became one of the most recognizable female athletes in the world, with partnerships with major brands like Coca-Cola, Nike, and Google. In 2022, SponsorUnited named her as the most-endorsed female athlete.

Morgan’s influence extended far beyond the pitch. In 2016, she was one of five players who filed a complaint on wage discrimination to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This act of defiance eventually led the team to sue the U.S. Soccer Federation in 2019 for inequitable pay and treatment when compared to the men’s national team.

By 2022, the U.S. Soccer Federation had agreed to historic collective bargaining agreements, ensuring equal pay for the men’s and women’s teams.

“Success for me is defined by never giving up and giving your all, and I did just that,” she said in her announcement. “I gave my all on the field, but I also fought for investment in women’s sports because we deserve that.”

Morgan was also instrumental in shedding light on the abuse scandal that rocked the NWSL in 2021. Her efforts to advocate for an anti-harassment policy and improved working conditions led to significant reforms in the league. 

Morgan leaves behind a legacy of inspiration, not only for her daughter, Charlie, who was born in 2020, but for the next generations of female athletes.

“Charlie came up to me the other day and said that when she grows up, she wants to be a soccer player,” Morgan said in her announcement.

“It just made me immensely proud, not because I wish for her to become a soccer player when she grows up, but because a pathway exists that even a 4 year old can see now,” she said. “We’re changing lives, and the impact we have on the next generation is irreversible. I’m proud in the hand I had in making that happen, in pushing the game forward, and leaving it in a place that I’m so happy and proud of.”

As heartbroken as I am about her decision, especially because I was excited to see her play against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Oct. 1 at BC Place, I’m so grateful for her impact on the sport — and the world — which will be felt for years to come.