Alex Morgan, the legendary forward for the United States national team and two-time world champion, said goodbye to soccer at the age of 35 this past Sunday after a match with the San Diego Wave against the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL. A duel that included an emotional tribute from her fans: she was substituted in the 13th minute, a symbolic gesture since that was the number she wore at key moments of her successful career. Morgan, who recently announced that she is going to be a mother for the second time, could have hung up her boots by scoring a goal, but the penalty she took was saved by Casey Murphy.
It was ten minutes into the game and 180 seconds later Morgan was substituted. The striker exchanged heartfelt hugs with her teammates before taking off her boots straight onto the pitch. Visibly moved, she handed over the captain’s armband and was replaced by fellow striker Amirah Ali.
The Wave, who sit in 12th and third-to-last place in the NWSL, were trailing 1-0 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 match against the North Carolina Courage would be the last of his career. And Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, a city that is living 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
During her fourteen-year career in soccer, Morgan has worn the jerseys of the Portland Thorns, with whom she was champion of the NWSL, Orlando Pride, Lyon, Tottenham and San Diego Wave. Her list of achievements includes the Women’s Champions League, the French league and the French Cup won in the 2016-2017 season.
Her legacy as a U.S. international lives on, and off, the field, as Morgan emphasized when announcing her retirement from soccer. “I grew up on this team, and it was so much more than just soccer. It was about the friendships and the tremendous respect and support for each other, the work to drive global investment in women’s sports, and the key moments of success on and off the field,” Morgan said. “I’m incredibly honored to have represented this team for 15 years.”
The Californian forward was a two-time World Cup champion with the US national team (2015 and 2019), scoring 123 goals and providing 53 assists. She played 22 World Cup matches and was also an Olympic champion in London 2012. Off the field, Morgan was, along with her teammate Megan Rapinoe, one of the most active footballers in the fight for equality. Among their achievements, the historic 2022 collective bargaining agreement stands out, which guarantees equal conditions between the US men’s and women’s national teams.
