Thirteen is Alex Morgan’s lucky number. San Diego Wave F.C. and U.S. Women’s National Team forward recently announced as her final game. She retired from professional soccer as one of the greatest players in history.

 

Alex Morgan’s retirement is the end of a remarkable era, but her impact on soccer and women’s sports will reverberate for years. Her tireless advocacy for gender equality and pioneering career set a strong example for future athletes. Morgan enhances her legacy through her contributions to women’s sports, business ventures, and efforts to support and empower mothers through her foundation. As she steps off the field, Morgan leaves behind records and a path paved with progress and inspiration for those who follow.

 

“I’m retiring. I have so much clarity about this decision,” Morgan shared in her retirement video on Instagram. “It has been a long time coming, and this decision wasn’t easy, but at the beginning of 2024, I felt in my heart and soul that this was the last season that I would play soccer. The impact we have on the next generation is irreversible, and I am proud of the hand I had in making that happen, pushing the game forward, and leaving it in a place that I am so happy and proud of.”

 

During her illustrious career, she compiled over 200 goals and 88 assists in 337 appearances. Morgan ended her legendary career with San Diego as the all-time goals leader (28) and assists leader (11). Morgan is ranked in the top 10 in the U.S. for international ranking. She has a history of goals, assists, and multi-goal games for the Women’s National Team.

The forward’s list of career accolades includes several individual recognitions, such as U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year twice (2012, 2018), FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 selection (2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022), and CONCACAF Player of the Year four times (2013, 2016, 2017, 2018). Morgan also won the NWSL Championship, NWSL Shield, NWSL Challenge Cup, and Champions League. 

Morgan appeared internationally with the U.S. Women’s National Team starting in 2010. She appeared 224 times as a member of USWNT. Scoring 123 goals, Morgan became the fifth-most prolific scorer in the country’s history. She participated in matches at four FIFA Women’s World Cups, capturing titles in 2015 and 2019. As an Olympian, Morgan became a gold medalist (2012) and a bronze medalist (2020). Following her 2012 season, she scored 28 goals and provided 21 assists, joining Mia Hamm as the only American woman to score 20 goals and provide 20 assists in the same calendar year. Morgan, a two-time World Cup winner, received the Silver Boot at the 2019 World Cup after scoring six goals and providing three assists. 

At a press conference before Morgan’s final game, she spoke about finding her calling investing in women’s sports. 

 

“I’ve found my calling in investing in women’s sports.”

 

Alex Morgan’s Business Investments & Endorsements 

Alex Morgan leveraged her name, image, and likeliness into lucrative endorsement opportunities throughout her career. According to a 2022 report from SponsorUnited, she was the most endorsed female athlete of the year. Per the report, She secured 27 endorsement deals, “More than any NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS or NHL athlete. Morgan leapfrogged over Ali Krieger, Serena Williams, and Naomi Osaka, the top three most-endorsed female athletes in 2021.”

 

Her endorsements include Coca-Cola, Google, Chipotle, Michelob Ultra,  AT&T, Nike, Panasonic, Chobani, McDonald’s, Proctor & Gamble, Mondeles International, Chipotle, Bank of America, ChapStick, and Nationwide Insurance. In December 2022, Forbes reported her estimated income as approximately $5.7 million. 

 

Morgan co-founded Togethxr, a media company that prioritizes women, with Chloe Kim, Simone Manuel, and Sue Bird. She co-founded the CBD company ‘Just Live’ with Jared Lerner, Klay Thompson, Paul Rodriguez, and Travis Pastrana. 

 

She also strategically diversified her investment portfolio. In 2022, she invested in the Eat Disorder Treatment startup Equip, the recruiting platform Teamable, the golf-tech firm TMRW Sports, and the retailer Soccer Post.

 

In March 2024, Morgan invested in Nourish, a platform that connects users with certified dietitians to provide personalized nutrition guidance.

 

“I’ve been fortunate to work with a dietitian over the last several years, said Morgan. “I’m thrilled to team up with Nourish to help more people get access to the same experience that I’ve had.”

 

Adding, “Nourish is changing the game, and I’m thrilled to play a part in expanding access to nutritional counseling! 

 

That same month, news broke that Morgan was investing in Unrivaled. Unrivaled is a newly launched three-on-three women’s basketball league providing an innovative opportunity for elite athletes to showcase their skills. 

 

Morgan shared, “The opportunity to join Unrivaled from the beginning was a no-brainer, and we couldn’t be more excited to support the league and these women both on and off the court. 

 

Let’s go!”

 

New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, a two-time WNBA Finals MVP and one of the founders of Unrivaled, recently spoke with PlayersTV about Morgan’s continuing investment in women’s sports, including the upcoming three-on-three league. 

“To see Alex Morgan announce her retirement and play her last game with San Diego FC is something incredible to witness,” said Stewart. 

“It is always a bittersweet feeling when amazing female athletes retire, but she has accomplished so much with the NWSL, the USA Women’s National Team, and I’m really just congratulating her on having more kids.Knowing that she will be looking to invest in women’s sports, like she did with Unrivaled, and the things to come.”

Alex Morgan Left The Game Better Than She Found It

 

Out of all of Alex Morgan’s accomplishments on the soccer field, her most significant accomplishment, aside from becoming a mother, is helping to bring equal pay to the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team. 

 

In 2019, the Federation faced litigation over gender discrimination from a team of 28 USWNT players, including Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe. 

 

Almost a year after former teammate with USWNT, Hope Solo, filed a similar lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation.

 

Players reach a proposed $24 million settlement on February 22, 2022, with a final approval hearing scheduled for December 5.

 

“There are things that U.S. soccer would do – like put out information or releases – that we didn’t know about beforehand, Morgan shared with MSNBC.com during a 2022 interview.

 

“That would put us on our back feet, and we were like ‘Oh we need to respond ASAP.’ Meanwhile, we’d have a game we were preparing for and we’d have to get on a call with our lawyers two hours before a game …So there were things like that that made it really difficult for us as we tried to fulfill our career obligations and play soccer, but also like – [it was] almost a second full-time job.”

 

That same year, Morgan wrote a book series for middle schoolers and shared with MSNBC why she thought her message was essential for that age demographic.

 

“I was always looking for books to read when I was younger that spoke to me as a young soccer player and athlete,” said Morgan.

 

“There was nothing available, and I wanted to write about the lessons learned from sports and the importance of having teammates and shared experiences.”

 

Alex Morgan Launches Her Foundation 

According to the Los Angeles Times, Alex Morgan launched her foundation in 2023, The Alex Morgan Foundation, which provides assistance and empowerment and is a role model for young girls and mothers living in San Diego’s South Bay. 

“Alex is a soccer phenomenon, which is known around the world. But it really is about giving back to the community, and these girls see her as a role model,” said Alejandra Inzunza, a high school principal who brought 17 female students to meet the two-time World Cup winner moments before she introduced the Alex Morgan Foundation in a ceremony at a National City middle school. “Hopefully, they, in return, give back. They keep [the] community and keep advocacy in mind as they move forward.”

 

“Absolutely it validates them. And Alex Morgan is the perfect person to do it.”

 

Morgan mentioned that her perspective on various topics, including soccer, had changed four years after the birth of her daughter Charlie.

 

Motherhood influenced her decision to launch a foundation, like the move from Orlando Pride to the expansion team San Diego Wave, a couple of years ago.

 

“I’ve actually been looking at starting a foundation probably for the last five-plus years, but it didn’t actually come together until a couple of months ago,” said Morgan. “One of the reasons that it’s now is because, for me and Servando, we realize that this is our home. I never really had that feeling in any other city.”

 

Morgan added, “Support of Mom was incredibly important to me. Navigating motherhood and the workplace was incredibly challenging, and so many moms do it with so much grace. They do it with all the troubles behind closed doors. They don’t share those. So I want to create a community where we can share any troubles and help moms embrace the challenges and be able to navigate it in a lot better way.”

 

According to GoFundMe.com, the Alex Morgan Foundation, since its inception in March 2023, immediately impacted the San Diego community by distributing $188,500 in grants and providing 234 tickets for 13 of Alex’s Homebreak teams.

 

On Sunday, September 8th, 2024, Morgan played her final game as an active professional athlete. The San Diego Wave F.C. would fall to the North Carolina Courage 4-1 in a game where forward Amirah Ali would replace Morgan at the 13-minute mark to a standing ovation, a symbolic gesture for the future Hall of Famer.

 

“What a ride it’s been. I want to thank my teammates. You have constantly challenged me every day and made me better,” Morgan said. “I want to thank my family who have relentlessly supported me, sacrificed so much for me. I love you guys — all 95 of you who are here tonight. And the fans. You pushed me to be my best self every day. You pushed me to be the best soccer player, to be the best mom, to be the best person I could be.”

“There have been so many incredible moments in my career, but this one, this last moment I share on the field with you, I will cherish forever. So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.”