Alex Morgan, legendary forward of the national team United States and two-time world champion, He officially hung up his boots this Sunday when he said goodbye to football in the match played by his team, San Diego Wave vs. North Carolina Courage in the NWSL before a long and emotional tribute from his audience.
Morgan, who recently announced that she is expecting a second childwas a starter in the San Diego eleven and was substituted in the 13th minute, a symbolic gesture since that was the number she wore at key moments of her successful career.
The 35-year-old Californian forward could have scored one last goal, but the Courage goalkeeperCasey Murphy, managed to stop his penalty kick.
It was ten minutes and 180 seconds laterMorgan was replaced. The forward exchanged heartfelt hugs with her teammates, before taking off his boots directly on the pitch.
Visibly moved, she handed over the captain’s armband and was replaced by the striker Amira Ali.
The Wave, who sit in 12th and third-to-last place in the NWSL, were trailing 0-1 when Morgan was substituted, but tied the game shortly after thanks to Kennedy Wesley.
Morgan announced his retirement from soccer last Tuesday and made it known that this Sunday’s game against the North Carolina Courage would be the last of his career.
And Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, a city that has been experiencing exciting months with the imminent debut of its new MLS franchise, responded with more than 20,000 spectators in the stands.
Successes on and off the field
In his fourteen-year career in football, Morgan wore the Portland Thorns jerseys, with which she was champion of the NWSLOrlando Pride, Lyon, Tottenham y San Diego Wave.
His achievements include: Women’s Champions League, French league and French Cup won in the 2016-2017 season.
But her legacy remains as a U.S. national team player, on and off the field, as Morgan stressed when announcing her retirement from soccer.
The Californian forward was a two-time world champion with the US national team (2015 and 2019), with which she scored 123 goals and provided 53 assists.
She played 22 matches in the World Cups and was also an Olympic champion in London 2012.
Off the field, Morgan was, alongside her teammate Megan Rapinoe, one of the most active footballers in the fight for equality.
Among its achievements is the historic 2022 collective bargaining agreement that guarantees equal conditions between the U.S. men’s and women’s teams.
Thank you for absolutely everything, Alex Morgan. pic.twitter.com/mIKaOS6Bkx
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 9, 2024
