USWNT legend Alex Morgan fights back tears as she announces her RETIREMENT with emotional message
American soccer legend Alex Morgan is retiring from the sport, she announced via social media on Thursday morning.
Morgan finished her career with 224 appearances for the U.S. national team, scoring 123 goals, the fifth-most of all time. She also had the ninth-most appearances for the Stars and Stripes among women.
Morgan was recently dropped from the United States Olympic squad by new head coach Emma Hayes, putting her international career in doubt. Now she is hanging up her boots for good.
“I grew up on this team, it was so much more than football,” Morgan said via a press release. “It was the friendships and unwavering respect and support for one another, the relentless push for global investment in women’s sports, and the pivotal moments of success both on and off the field.”
“I feel so incredibly honored to have borrowed the emblem for over 15 years. I have learned so much about myself in that time and that is a compliment to my teammates and our fans.”
Alex Morgan retires from soccer as one of the most successful Americans of all time
Morgan fought back tears as she announced her retirement via social media on Thursday
“I feel immense pride in where this team is headed, and I will always be a fan of the USWNT. My desire for success may have always driven me, but what I got in return was more than I could ever ask for or hope for,” Morgan concluded.
Morgan has spent the past two years playing for the NWSL’s San Diego Wave. She has been based primarily in the United States for her club football, but has also had stints with European mainstays Lyon and Tottenham.
She also ranks fifth all-time in U.S. national team history in combined goals and assists, trailing only Mia Ham, Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd and Kristine Lilly.
Morgan is the American national goal record holder with 16 goals as a mother, having passed Joy Fawcett last year.
After giving birth to daughter Charlie in 2020, Morgan represented the United States at the Tokyo Olympics and last year’s World Cup.
Morgan captained the Wave in her final professional game on Sunday against the Washington Spirit, coming off in the 70th minute without giving any hint that this was her soccer swan song.