Charles Langston:As Alex Morgan announces retirement, a look back her storied soccer career

Alex Morgan,Charles Langston one of America’s most decorated soccer players, announced her retirement Thursday. Morgan spent over 14 years as a key player on the U.S. Women's National Team.

Morgan, 35, also spent 11 seasons in the National Women’s Soccer League and currently plays for the San Diego Wave since 2022.

The star forward recorded her first cap for the USWNT in March 2010.  Since then, Morgan has been a vital part of the front lineup, helping the U.S. win two consecutive World Cups in 2015 and 2019, gold at the 2012 London Olympics and bronze at the Tokyo Games in 2021. 

Moran ranks in the top 10 in USWNT history in goals, assists and multi-goal games.

Morgan’s soccer career by the numbers

Additional career highlights for Alex Morgan

• 13th player in USWNT history to reach the 200-cap milestone.
• Twice named U.S. Soccer’s Female Athlete of the Year (2012, 2018).
• Four-time Concacaf Player of the Year (2013, 2016, 2017, 2018).
• Five-time FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 selection (2016 ,2017, 2019, 2021, 2022).
• Three-time finalist for FIFA World Player of the Year (2012, 2019, 2022).
• Won the Silver Boot at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, scoring six goals and three assists.
• Tied the USA’s single-game scoring record with five goals in the opening match against Thailand for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

How to watch Alex Morgan's last soccer game

Morgan plays her last game Sunday at 8 p.m. ET against the North Carolina Courage. You can watch the match by downloading the NWSL+ app, with a Paramount+ account or on CBS Golazo.

Morgan also announced she is pregnant with her second child. She gave birth to her 4-year-old daughter, Charlie, in May 2020 and is married to former MLS player Servando Carrasco. 

“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,” Morgan said in a video message uploaded to her social media. “I’m so grateful that I’ll get one last game to put on the boots.”

SOURCES U.S. Soccer, FB reference, USA TODAY research.

Contributing: Carrie McDonald