Soccer Monday: Thank you, Alex

Afterward, she passed the torch to the next generation.

“I did everything I ever wanted to do and more,” she said. “With this decision, I feel so at peace because I am ready to start my family and I am ready to hang up the boots and allow the next generation to flourish and just relish in the spotlight. It’s a good feeling.”

Morgan’s retirement announcement, hastened by the fact that she’s pregnant with her second child, came as a surprise to many. She controlled her the messaging when she dropped her retirement video, which was typical of her carefully crafted career. Alex Morgan, the quintessential professional.

Side note: the Kate Spade soccer ball purse!

There are so many superlatives to describe Morgan. She was a talented forward who added dimension to her position with both her speed and her willingness to put her body on the line. On her resume are two FIFA Women’s World Cup titles and an Olympic gold medal.

In the end, with the national team, Morgan played in 224 matches, scored 123 goals (fifth on the career list) and tallied 53 assists (ninth). She was named the U.S. Soccer Player of the Year in 2012 and 2018. She won two women’s World Cups and an Olympic gold medal. She won an NWSL title with the Portland Thorns in 2013 and a Shield with the Wave in 2023.

One of her most memorable goals came in London. It was the game-winner for the USWNT in extra time against Canada, a goal that put the United States into the Olympic final. A year earlier, she scored in the World Cup final against Japan.

At the 2019 World Cup, Morgan scored the deciding goal in a 2-1 semifinal victory over England, which she celebrated by pretending to sip tea.

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She was a tireless activist for equal pay, first as one of the players who filed a complaint with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleging wage discrimination in 2016. When the players grew dissatisfied with the progress of that investigation, they filed a lawsuit in 2019. That lawsuit was later settled, and it led to the historic labor agreement with U.S. Soccer that equalized play with the men’s national team.

And one can’t forget the support she offered to both Sinead Farrelly and Mana Shim in telling their stories in 2021, which resulted in a massive reckoning for the NWSL. Morgan championed the league’s anti-harassment policy, and this year she was part of the NWSLPA bargaining group for the league’s new collective bargaining agreement.

“Her confidence in herself is next level and her unwavering fight for what’s right—the way she stands up for herself, her teammates, for her peers—to make things better in the world is just incredible,” said Washington Spirit midfielder and former USWNT teammate Andi Sullivan. “So it’s been an honor to be around her and to be influenced by her and take the lessons that we’ve learned from her and carry them on.”

“Don’t think many people will ever understand the weight you carried with you being the face of this team and women’s football in general,” U.S. captain Lindsey Horan said in a tribute to Morgan on Instagram. “You made the game better for so many little ones looking up to you and what an incredible career on top of it.”

I interviewed Morgan many times throughout the years. One of my favorites was just before she officially announced she had signed with the Wave. I spoke to her at length via Zoom from an unoccupied Video Assisted Referee (VAR) room at Providence Park during a Thorns match, because it was the only place that was quiet.

She was a reporter’s dream: a star player who delivered good, thoughtful quotes. She meant a lot to so many people, as evidenced by the kids at the game.

Onto the links:

Here’s the AP story on Morgan’s final game.

Sinead Farrelly, who Morgan supported when she came forward with allegations of abuse by coach Paul Riley, retired Sunday. Jonathan Tannenwald covered for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Forbes piece on how the new CBA helps the NWSL’s competitive advantage

Magic Johnson joins Spirit ownership group.

For Soccer joins with Girls Academy to further grow the game among 12-18 year olds. For Soccer invests in and helps develop brand partners to focus on underserved soccer communities.

Jackie Guttierez writes about Olympic athletes returning to the NWSL regular season for The Equalizer.

Jeff Kassouf’s story for ESPN on Alex Morgan’s legacy.

Jessica Berman said the new CBA paves the way for the NWSL to be the `best league in the world.’

Meg Linehan’s story on Alex Morgan’s final match for The Athletic.

The draw results for the second round of the women’s Champions League.

Courtney Hill wrote for the Olympics channel about Barbra Banda and the Pride’s turnaround.

Why the Current re-tooled their roster this summer, from the Kansas City Star.

Cool article in the Guardian on how women’s soccer is influencing the game overall.

Sarah Gregorius jumps from FIFPRO to the NWSL.

Emma Hayes says men’s soccer isn’t ready for a female coach.

And here is Morgan’s final press conference: