Through tears felt around the world, Alex Morgan; one of the most celebrated and accomplished soccer players of all time; announced her retirement on Thursday morning.
“Soccer’s been a part of me for 30 years,” Morgan said in a video shared on social media. “It was one of the first things that I ever loved, and I gave everything to the sport and what I got in return was more than I could have ever dreamed of.”
Morgan’s storied career includes time with several high-profile American clubs including the Portland Thorns, Orlando Pride, and San Diego Wave FC as well as shorter stints in France and England, but her most celebrated accomplishments came during her time with the USWNT.
She won two World Cups and one Gold Medal during her 224 appearances for her nation while scoring an astounding 123 goals, the fifth-most in U.S. Soccer history. Many will remember her iconic celebrations and staggering statistics, but off the field, her impact was just as great.
She is an inspiration for soccer players everywhere and proved that there is a path for young girls to become professional athletes. Her voice helped bring about change in the USWNT’s historic fight for Equal Pay and she was an ally for her colleagues who pushed back on injustice both in the soccer world and out.
“We’re changing lives and the impact we have on the next generation is irreversible,” Morgan said in her announcement. “I’m proud in the hand I had in making that happen, in pushing the game forward, in leaving it in a place that I'm so happy and proud of.”
In November of 2022, Morgan joined the Soccer Post family as an investor and a brand ambassador. At that time, Morgan shared "Growing up, I loved visits to local soccer shops. I'm excited to share my passions for the beautiful game and advancing women's soccer with the leading soccer specialty retailer in the United States. Together with Soccer Post, I am committed to supporting the next generation of soccer families and communities."
Morgan will write the final chapter of her playing career this Sunday, Sep.8, when her San Diego Wave FC takes on the North Carolina Courage at Snapdragon Stadium.
