On Thursday, United States women’s national team forward Alex Morgan announced her retirement from soccer effective Sunday when the San Diego Wave host the North Carolina Courage on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network. Morgan is one of the most accomplished members ever of the USWNT with 123 goals in her 224 caps. The team is undefeated in the 86 matches that she has scored a goal in and Morgan also has two FIFA Women’s World Cup titles and an Olympic gold.
“I’m gonna get to the point quickly,” she said on Thursday on her social media. “I’m retiring, and I have so much clarity about this decision, and I’m so happy to be able to finally tell you. It has been a long time coming, and 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. 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 said in her video farewell.
But Morgan’s achievements go far beyond the soccer field. She launched the Alex Morgan Foundation to create opportunities for women on and off the pitch while also being a strong backer of equal rights and other initiatives. Morgan’s work helped create the first ever anti-harassment policy in the NWSL in 2021.
Here’s how many soccer figures, including ex-teammates, reacted:
Former USWNT midfielder Heather O’Reilly
U.S. Soccer icon Mia Hamm
Former coach of the San Diego Wave Casey Stoney:
Former USWNT midfielder Sam Mewis:
Replies from USMNT teammates
- Sophia Smith: “I love you, thank you for everything.”
- Trinity Rodman: “Love u Alex!”
- Mallory Pugh: “LOVE YOU AL”
- Rose Lavelle: “Thank you Al”
- Abby Dahlkemper: “Legend Al. There won’t be another like you. Love you and so proud to have been able to share the field with you.”
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Caitlin Clark chimes in
WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark also chimed in on Instagram, writing, “Legend. Congrats!!!!”
