Alex Morgan Is Retiring — Here's What to Know About the Soccer Legend
Normally, 13 might not seem like a lucky number, but wearing it on the back of her jersey has made Alex Morgan a household name in women's professional soccer. Morgan, a striker for the NWSL's San Diego Wave, two-time World Cup champion, and Olympic gold medalist, announced her retirement from professional soccer on Thursday, Sept. 5 in an emotional video posted to her social media, captioned with a simple "Thank you."
"I'm going to get to the point quickly. I'm retiring," Morgan says to kick off her announcement. The legend has scored more than 123 goals in her time on the US Women's National Team (USWNT) and ranks in the top 10 in USWNT history in goals, assists, and multi-goal games, according to US Soccer.
Morgan also announced her second pregnancy in the video, saying that her daughter Charlie is going to be a big sister. Her final match will be this weekend against the North Carolina Courage.
Morgan previously played for the Orlando Pride. She made her World Cup debut in 2011 as the youngest member on the roster at age 22 and is best known for scoring the winning goal in the 2012 Olympic semifinal match against Canada, which led the US team to that gold medal title.
Off the field, Morgan has also been part of the USWNT's impassioned fight for equal pay, which resulted in a historic equal-pay agreement with the US Soccer Federation and recently earned them an ESPY Award. Morgan has become such an icon that there's an 825-pound statue of her posing like the Statue of Liberty touring the US in honor of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
"Soccer's 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 anything I could have ever dreamt of," Morgan says in her retirement video, later adding, "I'm so shaped into me because of you, because of soccer, and I am forever grateful."
Morgan also helped launch the sports media platform Togethxr, known for their iconic "Everyone Watches Women's Sports" gear, and her own foundation. She's always strived to use her impact to fight for equality and diversity in sports in the same way she fought for equal pay with the USWNT.
In her retirement video, Morgan describes the pride she felt when her daughter Charlie recently told her she wanted to be a soccer player when she grows up. "Not because I wish for her to become a soccer player . . . but because a pathway exists that even a 4-year-old can see now. We're changing lives, and the impact we have on the next generation is irreversible. And 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," Morgan says in her video.
Read further details about Morgan's story on her website, and ahead, check out more facts about the incredibly talented player and advocate.
— Additional reporting by Lauren Mazzo
How Old Is Alex Morgan?
Morgan is 35 years old, and her birthday is on July 2. At 34 during the USWNT 2023 World Cup, she was one of the oldest players on the roster, with only Kelley O'Hara (then 34), Alyssa Naeher (35), and Megan Rapinoe (38) being the same age or older than she was.
What Position Does Alex Morgan Play?
Morgan plays the forward position, aka striker.
Is Alex Morgan Married?
Morgan got married in December 2014, and her husband is former professional soccer player Servando Carrasco.
Does Alex Morgan Have Kids?
Morgan gave birth to her daughter, Charlie, now 3 years old, on May 7, 2020. And in her retirement video, she announced that she's expecting her second child.
Shortly after Charlie's birth, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were postponed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This worked out well for Morgan, giving her extra time to recover postpartum before returning to the field. "It was actually a weight off my shoulders that I didn't realize was there," Morgan told PS in November 2020. "I knew at that point, I can just let Charlie come whenever she was ready."
Where Did Alex Morgan Go to College?
Morgan went to the University of California at Berkeley, where she was named the third all-time scorer in school history. She graduated in 2010 with a degree in political economy.
Is Alex Morgan Right- or Left-Footed?
According to her FIFA facts page, Morgan prefers to shoot with her left foot.
Has Alex Morgan Been in Sports Illustrated?
Yes, three times, in fact. In 2019, Morgan made her third appearance in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue, when she appeared on one of the covers.
Is Alex Morgan a USWNT Captain?
While Morgan had been named one of two co-captains (along with teammate Lindsey Horan) on the USWNT ahead of the 2023 World Cup, Horan was named the sole captain in 2024 ahead of the Paris Olympics, per The New York Times.
Alex Morgan Was Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2019
When Morgan was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in 2019, soccer legend Mia Hamm penned the article about her, writing: "I feel great about the future of our sport because Alex is leading the way . . . As the mother of 12-year-old twin daughters, I fully understand the impact that Alex makes on this next generation of young girls. Her commitment to set such a positive example for them is unmatched, and I am incredibly grateful that the future of our game is in such good hands."
Why Does Alex Morgan Wear a Pink Headband?
Morgan started wearing pink prewrap in her hair during her sophomore year at UC Berkeley to support Servando's mother, who was battling breast cancer at the time. Read more about why she always wears a pink headband here.
Does Alex Morgan Have Siblings?
Morgan is the youngest of three girls. Her sisters are named Jeni and Jeri.
Alex Starred in a 2018 Movie, "Alex & Me"
You can stream the movie on Prime Video.
Watch Alex Morgan's Winning Semifinal Goal at the 2012 Olympics
One of Morgan's most famous moments on the field was her game-winning goal during the US's semifinal match against Canada at the 2012 Olympics. Her goal helped the team take home the gold medal.