After a successful 15-year career as a player with the U.S. Women’s National Team, Alex Morgan has announced her retirement from professional soccer. Morgan scored 123 goals for the U.S. and made 23 goals and 50 appearances for San Diego Wave FC in the NWSL.

The forward also announced that she is pregnant with her second child. Morgan’s final game will be on Sunday, September 8, when the Wave host the North Carolina Courage.

Leaving an impression for the next generation

At the national team level, Morgan is known as a two-time world champion (2015, 2019), US Soccer Player of the Year (2012, 2018) and Olympic gold medalist (2012), and also won the NWSL Shield with the Wave in 2023.

A legendary player on the court, Morgan has also made tremendous strides off the court: she paved the way for equal pay in the USWNT and continues to provide opportunities for girls and mothers through the Alex Morgan Foundation.

“I’m incredibly honored to have been able to loan the crest for more than 15 years,” said Morgan. “I’ve learned so much about myself during that time, and much of that is thanks to my teammates and our fans. I’m incredibly proud of the development of this team and will forever be a USWNT fan. While my desire to succeed has always driven me, what I’ve received in return has been more than I could have ever asked for or hoped for.”

Morgan has played for San Diego Wave FC since its inaugural season in 2022, and at every home game, a banner hangs that reads “Alex’s Home Game” while Morgan purchases tickets and selects a group of athletes to watch her play at Snapdragon Stadium.

In addition to the home break area, Morgan works with two San Diego-based programs called Let’s Go South Bay! and Casa Familiar to help young girls access soccer and support low-income individuals through education, social connections and community-building opportunities.

As the NWSL continues to grow rapidly, Morgan also plays a key role in player advocacy as she serves as the player representative for San Diego Wave FC in the NWSL Players Association.

As the NWSL faced numerous reports of sexual misconduct and abuse in 2021, Morgan used her voice to raise the concerns of her former teammate and friend Mana Shim and challenged the former NWSL commissioner.

Completion of a successful career

During her NWSL career, Morgan played three seasons with the Portland Thorns and six seasons with the Orlando Pride.

When Morgan was traded to San Diego, her deal with the Pride set a league record at the time, as she was traded for $275,000 in allocation money.

In the Wave’s home opener of the 2022 season, Morgan scored all four goals as the Wave defeated Gotham FC 4-0, making her the third player in NWSL history to reach that milestone.

“I am clear about this decision,” Morgan said in her farewell video. “It has been a long time coming and this decision was not easy, but at the start of 2024 I felt in my heart and soul that this would be the last season I would play football. The impact we have on the next generation is irreversible and I am proud of my part in making this possible, moving the game forward and leaving it in a place I am so happy and proud to be in.”

Morgan ranks fifth on the USWNT’s all-time goalscoring list with 176 goals, behind fellow legends Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach, Kristine Lilly and Carli Lloyd.

Morgan has been named to the FIFA FIFPRO World XI six times, more than any other player in history, and has also been named CONCACAF Women’s Player of the Year four times, winning the first award in 2013.

Although the Wave have faced several challenges in the 2024 NWSL regular season, San Diego will honor Morgan before their home opener this weekend when they host the North Carolina Courage on Sunday, September 8 at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET.