Alex Morgan, a two-time Women’s World Cup champion, has announced she is retiring from professional soccer and is expecting her second child.
In a remarkable 15-year career with the United States women’s national team, Morgan made significant contributions on the field and championed equal pay and social justice issues.
The 35-year-old will play her final match with the San Diego Wave of the National Women’s Soccer League this Sunday at Snapdragon Stadium. The game will be broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
In an emotional farewell video posted on social media, Morgan shared her decision to retire. “I’m going to get to the point quickly. I’m retiring, and I have so much clarity about this decision. I’m so happy to finally tell you,” she said.
Morgan reflected on her career, stating, “Soccer has been a part of me for 30 years. It was one of the first things I ever loved. I gave everything to this sport, and what I got in return was more than I could have ever dreamed of.” She added that by early 2024, she felt it was time to end her soccer career.
Morgan’s illustrious career includes World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, and a gold medal from the 2012 London Olympics. She joined the national team in 2009 and played 224 matches, ranking ninth all-time with 123 goals and 53 assists.
“It was more than just soccer,” Morgan said. “It was about the friendships, respect, support, and our push for global investment in women’s sports. I am deeply honored to have represented this team for over 15 years and learned so much about myself, thanks to my teammates and our fans.”
Morgan was named U.S. Soccer Player of the Year twice. Her last game with the national team was on June 4, 2024, against South Korea. She was not part of the roster for the Paris Olympics.
In 2019, Morgan was one of the players who sued U.S. Soccer for gender discrimination over unequal pay and treatment compared to the men’s team. The two sides reached an agreement in 2022 to ensure equal pay for both teams.
Morgan, who has a daughter named Charlie born in 2020, will now focus on her growing family.
