U.S. soccer legend Alex Morgan bid an emotional farewell in her final game with the NWSL’s San Diego Wave, just three days after announcing her retirement from the sport.
Morgan, who is 35 years old, revealed that she is pregnant with her second child and made the announcement before the Wave’s game against the North Carolina Courage. This game marked the end of her professional soccer career.
Before the match, Morgan walked onto the field at Snapdragon Stadium holding her daughter Charlie’s hand. Fans showed their appreciation with signs saying “Thank you, Alex,” “Everyone watches Morgan,” and “I’m not crying, you’re crying.”
During a pregame ceremony, Morgan received a No. 63 jersey to commemorate her 63 games with the Wave. She then made a brief appearance on the field before leaving in the 13th minute with the game tied at 1-1. The crowd gave her a standing ovation as she bid farewell with tears in her eyes.
This moment marked the end of a remarkable career for Morgan, who achieved success as a college and club player as well as a key player for the U.S. Women’s National Team. She played for teams like the Portland Thorns, Orlando Pride, Lyon, and Tottenham Hotspur before joining the Wave in 2022.
Morgan was a key player in the USWNT’s success, winning World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, as well as Olympic gold in 2012 and bronze in 2021. She played 224 games for the national team and is the eighth highest goal-scorer in international competition with 123 goals.
Throughout her career, Morgan has been a vocal advocate for equal opportunities and conditions in women’s sports, including fighting for equal pay for members of the USWNT compared to the USMNT.