USWNT Star Alex Morgan Retires, Reveals Second Pregnancy

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United States football legend Alex Morgan has announced her retirement from professional football and revealed she is expecting her second child. Morgan, a key figure in the USWNT's history, played a crucial role in their World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019, and also secured an Olympic gold medal at London 2012.

Morgan's career statistics are impressive. She ranks ninth in all-time appearances for the USWNT with 224 caps. Only Abby Wambach, Mia Hamm, Carli Lloyd, and Kristine Lilly have scored more than her 123 goals for the team. Since her international debut in March 2010, no player has contributed to more goals for the USWNT than Morgan, with 175 goal involvements (123 goals, 52 assists).

Her impact extends to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) as well. Morgan's 88 goal contributions (60 goals, 28 assists) in regular-season play place her third on the all-time list, behind Sam Kerr and Lynn Williams.

Morgan will play one last match for San Diego Wave against Carolina Courage in the NWSL on Sunday before retiring. She shared her decision via a video posted on X: "I want to get to the point quickly I'm retiring. I have so much clarity about this decision, and I am so happy to be able to tell you," she said.

"It has been a long time coming, and this decision wasn't easy," Morgan continued. "But at the beginning of 2024 I felt in my heart and soul that this was the last season that I would play soccer."

Influence of Pregnancy on Decision

Morgan confirmed that her second pregnancy influenced her retirement decision. Despite playing regularly for the USWNT earlier this year, she was not included in Emma Hayes' squad for the Paris Olympics where they won their fifth gold medal by defeating Brazil.

Morgan returned to NWSL with San Diego Wave in 2022 after a brief stint with Tottenham Hotspur in the Women's Super League.

A Legacy Beyond Football

In a statement released by U.S. Soccer, Morgan reflected on her journey: "I grew up on this team; it was so much more than soccer. It was the friendships and unwavering respect among each other." She also highlighted their push for global investment in women's sports and pivotal moments of success both on and off the field.

"I am so incredibly honoured to have borrowed the crest for more than 15 years," she added. "I learned so much about myself during that time thanks to my teammates and our fans."

Morgan expressed immense pride in where the team is headed: "I feel immense pride in where this team is headed, and I will forever be a fan of the USWNT."