Since her debut on the professional stage in the late 2000s, Alex Morgan has become one of the most influential soccer players in the history of the women's game.
After 15 years of consistent goal-scoring and off-field advocacy, the striker announced her retirement from professional soccer Thursday.
The USWNT veteran walks away with two World Cup titles and a NWSL Golden Boot to her name among several other accolades. Morgan leaves the national team as one of the best forwards in program history and the American professional league as a trailblazer and icon.
Here's everything you need to know about her retirement, including the reasons behind the US soccer legend's difficult decision.
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Why is Alex Morgan retiring?
In a video posted to her social media platforms, Morgan announced she is retiring from professional soccer in the wake of her second pregnancy with husband Servando Carrasco. However, even before she was expecting she was considering this would be her last year.
"It has been a long time coming, and this decision wasn't easy," Morgan said. "But at the beginning of 2024, I felt in my heart and soul that this was the last season that I would play soccer."
"I gave everything to this sport and what I got in return was more than I ever dreamed of. Success for me is defined by never giving up and giving your all, and I did just that," she continued.
Thank you🫶 pic.twitter.com/8BkofVOh3s
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) September 5, 2024
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She also elaborated on her time with the USWNT, expressing her love for the program and those she met along the way.
"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," Morgan said. "I feel immense pride in where this team is headed, and I will forever be a fan of the USWNT.
"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.”
In addition to fighting for equal pay for the USWNT, Morgan finished her international career with 123 goals and 53 assists in 224 appearances. She won a gold medal at the Olympics in 2012 as well as two World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019.
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When is Alex Morgan's last game?
Morgan will play her final game for the San Diego Wave at home on Sunday, Sept. 8 against the North Carolina Courage. Since joining the club before its inaugural season in 2022, she has become its all-time leading scorer (28 goals) and assist leader (21).
One of the league's original players, Morgan signed with the Portland Thorns in 2013 and won the NWSL's first championship title the same year. As far as all-time league statistics go, she is top five in both goals and assists.
In 2016, Morgan was traded to the Orlando Pride, where she remained until 2021 with stints at Lyon in 2017 and Tottenham in 2020 throughout.
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How old is Alex Morgan?
Born on July 2, 1989, in San Dimas, Calif., Morgan is 35-years-old. She grew up in the Los Angeles suburb of Diamond Bar, attending Diamond Bar High School and playing for Cypress Elite.
Despite tearing her ACL as a teenager, the striker spent time with the USWNT under-20 program and eventually earned a scholarship to UC Berkeley. There, she scored 45 goals for the Golden Bears on her way to becoming a four-time All-Pac-10 selection and First-Team All-American.
It was also at Berkeley where Morgan met Carrasco, who played nearly a decade in the MLS while she embarked on her professional career. The two had their first child, Charlie, in May 2020.
