Image Credit: San Diego Wave FC
(North County Beat) – Alex Morgan, a San Diego Wave striker and renowned soccer star, has officially announced her retirement from professional soccer, ending a career that has left a lasting mark on women’s sports. At 35, the two-time Women’s World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist shared the news via an emotional video on Instagram, expressing her pride in having contributed to the advancement of women’s soccer.
Morgan explained that her decision to retire wasn’t easy. “At the beginning of 2024, I felt in my heart and soul that this was the last season I would play soccer,” she said. She reflected on her 30-year relationship with the sport, saying, “I gave everything to this sport, and what I got in return was more than I could have ever dreamed of.”
In addition to her retirement, Morgan shared exciting personal news—she’s expecting her second child with her husband, Servando Carrasco. She and Carrasco already share a 4-year-old daughter, Charlie, who, Morgan noted, is thrilled to become a big sister. “As unexpected as this came, we are so overjoyed,” Morgan shared, adding that her family has been her pillar of support throughout her 15-year professional career.
Morgan began her journey into soccer at UC Berkeley, where she played for the Golden Bears before being drafted first overall by the Western New York Flash. Her career spanned several top teams, including Portland Thorns, Orlando Pride, and Tottenham Hotspur. Most recently, Morgan joined San Diego Wave in 2022, where she played 45 matches and scored 22 goals, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer. “I’m giving my all every single day on the field, and I did that, giving my all in the relentless push for global investment in women’s sports,” she said.
Morgan’s international career began when she was the youngest player on the 2011 U.S. Women’s National Team, which finished as World Cup runners-up. She later helped lead the U.S. to two World Cup victories and an Olympic gold medal. Known for her advocacy for gender equality, Morgan, alongside fellow players, filed a landmark wage discrimination complaint against the U.S. Soccer Federation in 2016. This case, which resulted in a $24 million settlement, significantly impacted the pay equity movement in women’s soccer.
Reflecting on her legacy, Morgan shared that her daughter Charlie recently expressed a desire to follow in her mother’s footsteps. “It just made me immensely proud… because a pathway exists that even a 4-year-old can see now,” Morgan said. Her words underscore her lasting influence, not only on the sport itself but on future generations of athletes.
Morgan’s announcement was met with a wave of support from her peers, including Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin, WNBA star Caitlin Clark, and her San Diego teammate Sofia Jakobsson. Jakobsson expressed her gratitude to Morgan, stating she was “forever grateful” for the influence Morgan had on her and the game.
