‘The Time Was Right’: Alex Morgan, All-Time Great, Unveils Retirement From Soccer

By Barry Janoff

Photo: San Diego WaveUPDATED September 6, 2024: The San Diego Wave held a media conference today, during which Alex Morgan spoke about her career, personal life and decision to retire.

“I’m so grateful to everyone who played a part, big or small, in my career,” she said during the 45-minute session. “And I’m so fortunate that I get to end my career here in this incredible city.

“I hope my legacy is that I pushed the game forward and that I helped gain respect for the women’s game. That I increased the value and the investment in the women’s game and that I helped players and myself not only be respected in the game but have better resources, better protection and safety (for players) be at the forefront. To have women’s soccer just that: play soccer and not have to fight so much for so many other things that we’ve had to continually fight for.

“A flew weeks ago I found out I was pregnant . . .  I was so happy because this is what our family wanted (but) a couple of months sooner than expected . . . It just felt like this was the right time (to retire). My body and my mind and my heart said this was the right decision.”

September 5, 2024: Saying that “It has been a long time coming, and this decision wasn't easy,” Alex Morgan, one of the greatest players in U.S. and International soccer history, has unveiled her retirement from the game.

Morgan, currently a member of the NWSL San Diego Wave FC and U.S. Women’s National Team icon, will end her pro career Sept. 8, in Snapdragon Stadium, home of the Wave. (The Wave are currently not among the team’s seeking the NWSL playoffs.)

Morgan also said that she is pregnant and expecting her second child with husband Servando Carrasco, who welcomed their first child, Charlie, in May 2020.

"I'm gonna get to the point quickly. I'm retiring, and I have so much clarity about this decision, and I'm so happy to be able to finally tell you,” Morgan says in a video posted to social media.

“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.”

According to Morgan, “I have so much clarity about this decision, and I am so happy to be able to finally tell you," Morgan said in the video. "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."

Morgan, 35, has had a 13-plus year career that saw her featured in the top divisions in the U.S. and Europe, as well as a mainstay for the U.S. Women’s National Team, amassing over 200 goals and 88 assists across 337 appearances.

Morgan’s 176 combined goals and assists rank fifth in U.S. Women’s National Team history behind only Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach, Kristine Lilly and Carli Lloyd.

Morgan fought as least as hard to support and improve the rights of women soccer players.

In 2019, she was among a group of players who sued the U.S. Soccer Federation over discrimination, pointing to unequal pay and treatment between the U.S. National Women’s and Men’s Teams. That led to a CBA in 2022 under which both teams would receive equal pay and on- and off-field support.

She also was among the most vocal players when a number of NWSL coaches were accused of verbal, emotional and physical mistreatment of their players, which dated back to 2015 but came to public attention in 2021.

That ultimately led to major changes in the NWSL and USSF to not only support current players but seek to prevent such situations from reoccuring.

Internationally, she ranks in the Top 10 all-time U.S. Women’s National Team history for goals, assists and multi-goal games.

Morgan will close her career with San Diego as the club’s all-time goals (28) and assist leader (11).

Her legacy will also continue off the field. in 2023 she launched the Alex Morgan Foundation, which focuses on supporting and empowering young girls in sports.

“I grew up on this team, it was so much more than soccer," Morgan said via U.S. Soccer. "It was the friendships and the unwavering respect and support among each other, the relentless push for global investment in women's sports, and the pivotal moments of success both on and off the field.

"I am so incredibly honored to have borrowed the crest for more than 15 years. I learned so much about myself in that time and so much of that is a credit to my teammates and our fans.

“I learned so much about myself in that time and so much of that is a credit to my teammates and our fans. I feel immense pride in where this team is headed, and I will forever be a fan of the USWNT.”

The forward’s extensive list of career accolades also consists of many individual recognitions.

She was named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year twice (2012, 2018), FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 selection (2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022) and CONCACAF Player of the Year four times (2013, 2016, 2017, 2018).

Morgan also captured a NWSL Championship, NWSL Shield, NWSL Challenge Cup and Champions League, among others.

On the international stage, Morgan has starred for the U.S. Women’s National Team since 2010.

She made 224 appearances for the U.S. Women’s National Team and scored 123 goals across all competitions.

She appeared in matches at four editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, including capturing the titles in 2015 and 2019, while also becoming an Olympic gold medalist (London 2012) and a bronze medalist (Tokyo 2020).

In 2019, the two-time World Cup champion won the Silver Boot at the 2019 World Cup, scoring six goals and three assists.

”My desire for success may have always driven me, but what I got in return was more than I could have ever asked and hoped for,” she said.

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