PRIYA COOPER / SPORTS EDITOR

U.S. forward Alex Morgan bid an emotional farewell to professional soccer on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024 playing her last match in the National Women’s Soccer League. Morgan was co-captain of the club team the San Diego Wave as well as a co-captain of the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) from 2018 to 2020. 

 The 35-year-old announced her retirement last week after discovering that she is expecting her second child. Morgan had her first daughter in 2020 with professional soccer player Servando Carracasco. Morgan returned to the field just five months after giving birth to her firstborn, Charlie, who is now four years old. 

Morgan and Carracsaso were college sweethearts who met at University of California, Berkley and later married in 2014. Carracasco played for the professional team Inter Miami Club de Fútbol II, an American professional soccer club based in Fort Lauderdale Florida, before retiring in 2020. 

Morgan saw her team fall 4-1 at home to the North Carolina Courage on Sunday, Sept. 8, during her last game with San Diego. Morgan missed a penalty in the 10th minute and was substituted three minutes later to a standing ovation from the 26,516 fans who were in attendance. 

Morgan has lived in San Diego since she joined San Diego Wave Fútbol Club of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2021. The club typically trains at the Polo Fields in the shadow of the Rancho Santa Fe foothills. Morgan was born and raised in eastern Los Angeles County and said she always wanted to make a home for herself in southern California. 

“This is where me and my husband always said we wanted to settle down and have a family,” the U.S. women’s soccer star said. “It was a long-term vision for us. I never thought I would be able to be here and play soccer” Morgan said in an interview with San Diego Magazine. 

After her final game, which was played at Snapdragon Stadium, the club team’s home field, Morgan commented to BBC Sport about being able to play one last game at home. 

“There have been so many incredible moments in my career but this last moment I share on the field with you I will cherish forever. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Morgan said.

Morgan leaves the field after finishing final game at Snapdragon Stadium. Photo courtesy of @alexmorgan13/Instagram

Although she had already been playing for the National Women’s  Soccer League (NWSL) for 11 years, Morgan had her best NWSL season with San Diego Wave in 2022 when she won the Golden Boot. This is an award given to the league’s top scorer, Morgan scored 15 goals in just 17 games during the regular season.

Under her captaincy on the National Team, the U.S. women were able to win the Women’s World Cup in 2019 by defeating the Netherlands 2-0. Morgan was also a part of the U.S. national team that won the World Cups against Japan in 2015. Additionally, she claimed a gold medal with  Team USA at the 2012 London Olympics.

Morgan has racked up a list of accomplishments during her professional career. She ranks in the top 10 in United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) history in goals, assists and multi-goal games. She was also twice named U.S. Soccer’s Female Athlete of the Year in both 2012 and 2018. Morgan is a four-time Concacaf Player of the Year and a three-time finalist for FIFA World Player of the Year. Another milestone Morgan achieved in 2023 was for the most goals scored as a mother in USWNT history with her goal against Brazil at the SheBelieves Cup.

USD junior and member of the womens club soccer team, Tori Garcia commented on her emotions surrounding Morgan’s retirement, having followed her most of her life. 

“The only way I can describe Alex Morgan’s retirement is bittersweet,” commented Garcia. “For many college students who have played soccer throughout their life, Alex Morgan was one of the youngest pro players that we grew up watching, admiring and wanting to be. Watching her development, on the pitch, from when she started to the end, not only marks the end of a great career representing women’s soccer, but also as a reminder that we, too, are also growing older. Our lives much like hers are turning new chapters,” Garcia said.  

Another USD junior and member of the womens club soccer team, Danielle Thompson also reminisced on growing up with Morgan as a role model. 

“Growing up and playing  soccer, Alex Morgan was always one of my soccer idols. Seeing her retire was very sad because she was one of the last players still playing from the generation of women’s soccer players that I grew up watching. She had such an impact on the women’s soccer community, and you could really feel it in the crowd at her last SD Wave game,” Thompson said. 

Throughout her illustrious career representing the United States, she has made over 200 appearances in international matches, showcasing her consistency and dedication on the field. Morgan has also further cemented  her reputation with a tally of 123 goals and 53 assists.

Fans celebrate in the stands after Morgan’s last game. Photo courtesy of @alexmorgan13/Instagram