Alex Morgan: Top 5 moments of her legendary USWNT career. Morgan’s announcement on Thursday regarding her retirement from soccer signifies a pivotal moment in the history of the United States women’s national team. Alongside this life-changing decision, she revealed that she is expecting her second child, with her final appearance for the San Diego Wave set for Sunday.
Over her illustrious career, Morgan participated in 224 matches for the national team, ranking ninth all-time. She netted 123 goals, placing her fifth in the all-time rankings, and contributed 53 assists, which ranks her ninth. Morgan emerged as a standout player during the FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2015 and 2019 and celebrated Olympic gold in 2012 and bronze in 2021. Her excellence on the pitch earned her the title of U.S. Soccer Player of the Year in both 2012 and 2018. In 2023, she co-captained the U.S. team in the FIFA Women’s World Cup alongside Lindsey Horan.
Morgan’s journey is filled with unforgettable highlights. Here are five of the most significant moments from her remarkable USWNT career:
2008 U-20 World Cup Final
In a thrilling 2-1 victory over Korea DPR, Morgan scored the decisive goal in the U-20 World Cup final. Demonstrating her skill, she launched a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box that soared into the top left corner of the net.
2010 World Cup Playoff vs. Italy
In a nail-biting Women’s World Cup Playoff against Italy, Morgan made a significant impact as a substitute, scoring a last-minute goal that clinched a 1-0 victory for the United States. Her calm demeanor in front of the goalkeeper allowed her to slot the ball into an open net.
2011 World Cup
Morgan made her World Cup debut in 2011, appearing in five matches as a substitute. She showcased her talent by scoring twice, including a crucial goal in the final against Japan.
2019 World Cup Semifinal
One of the most memorable moments of Morgan’s career occurred during the semifinal against England in the 2019 World Cup, where she scored a powerful header. Her celebration, mimicking the act of “sipping tea” near the corner flag, sparked both admiration and controversy.
2019 World Cup Final
In the World Cup final against the Netherlands, Morgan earned a penalty kick for the U.S. team. Megan Rapinoe successfully converted the penalty, giving the team a 1-0 lead, which ultimately helped secure a 2-0 victory.
