Soccer Player Alex Morgan Announces Decision To Retire

Alex Morgan, an icon in women’s professional soccer, has announced her retirement from the sport.

At a Glance

Alex Morgan has announced her retirement from professional soccer.
Her final match took place on September 8 at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium against North Carolina Courage.
Morgan, 35, shared her retirement decision in a social media video on September 5.
Morgan is pregnant with her second child.
Morgan reflected on her career and her impact on future generations of soccer players.

Alex Morgan’s Retirement Announcement

On September 5, Alex Morgan announced her retirement from professional soccer via a heartfelt social media video. Morgan, 35, shared that the decision wasn’t easy but felt she had realized this would be her last season at the beginning of 2024. The announcement also revealed that she is pregnant with her second child, adding a nuanced layer to her retirement.

Her final match took place on September 8 at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium against North Carolina Courage. This marks the end of a storied career filled with many accomplishments and milestones.

Thank you🫶 pic.twitter.com/8BkofVOh3s

— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) September 5, 2024

Career Achievements and Legacy

Over her 15-year professional career, Morgan became one of the most recognizable and influential figures in women’s soccer. She played 224 matches for the U.S. national team, scoring 123 goals and assisting 53 times. Her accolades include a 2012 Olympic gold medal, and two FIFA Women’s World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. Despite being left off the roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Morgan expressed gratitude for all the support she received throughout her career.

“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,” she said.

Beyond the field, Morgan was a vocal advocate for player rights and equality, contributing to a $24 million settlement with the U.S. Soccer federation. She also played a pivotal role in exposing the NWSL abuse scandal in 2021, advocating for improved working conditions.

Personal Life and Future Plans

Off the pitch, Morgan balances her role as a soccer star with family life. She is married to fellow soccer player Servando Carrasco and they share a 4-year-old daughter, Charlie. The family is now awaiting the arrival of their second child. Morgan has expressed immense pride in her daughter, stating that Charlie aspires to be a soccer player as well.

“Charlie came up to me the other day and said that, when she grows up, she wants to be a soccer player. It just made me immensely proud, not because I wish for her to become a soccer player when she grows up but because a pathway exists that even a four-year-old can see now.”

As Morgan steps away from the game, she leaves behind a legacy marked not only by her on-field achievements but also by her off-field efforts to improve the sport. Her foundation, dedicated to creating equity and opportunity in sports, stands as a testament to her enduring impact.