Is Beautiful Alex Morgan the Most Influential Football Star Ever?

ALEX MORGAN
Country: United States
Born: 02 Jul. 1989 
Height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)

Ever wondered how a girl who didn’t start football until 14 became one of the most powerful voices in women’s sports? Alex Morgan’s legacy isn’t just about the goals, it’s about the fights she took on, from the pitch to the courtroom, pushing for a better future for women in sports. A leader, a champion, and a game-changer, she leaves the sport as one of the greatest to ever wear the red, white, and blue.

In this post, you will find Alex Morgan’s most unforgettable moments, her fight for equality, and the lasting legacy she leaves behind.

How Did A Late-Blooming Football Player Conquer The World?

Born in San Dimas, California, in 1989, Alex Morgan didn’t follow the typical path of an elite football player. While most future pros specialize in the sport from an early age, Morgan was a multi-sport athlete growing up. She dabbled in different sports before finally locking in on football. But unlike most players destined for greatness, she didn’t join a competitive club team until she was 14. That late start became her superpower.

She first kicked a ball with AYSO, where her dad was one of her first coaches. But things got serious when she joined Cypress Elite, making up for lost time fast. She helped her team snag a Coast Soccer League U-16 championship and a third-place finish at the U-19 level. Her insane speed and natural athleticism made her a nightmare for defenders at Diamond Bar High School, where she racked up three all-league selections and NSCAA All-American honors.

To keep up with more experienced players, Morgan played for the Olympic Development Program, which she later credited as a game-changer in her development. By 17, she was called up to the U.S. U-20 national team. But just as she was making waves, disaster struck when an ACL injury during a scrimmage against the men’s junior national team sidelined her for nearly two years.

That setback only fueled her hunger. When she finally hit the field again, she was stronger, faster, and more determined than ever. UC Berkeley came calling and Morgan lit up the field for the Golden Bears while juggling national team call-ups. Her college coaches still rave about her ability to create something from nothing, a skill that would soon make her one of the biggest names in women’s soccer.

Alex Morgan: A Legendary Career Year By Year

Not many players have changed the game like Alex Morgan. From a high school phenomenon to a global icon, she’s been the definition of a clutch goal-scorer, a fierce competitor, and a leader who always showed up when it mattered most. This is the year-by-year journey of a legend, leading up to her 2024 retirement.

2007

• Led Diamond Bar High School to the CIF championship.
• Scored 45 goals in her senior year.
• Committed to the University of California, Berkeley.

2008

• Debuted for the U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team.
• Scored her first international goal against Cuba.
• Helped the U.S. win the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, scoring the game-winner in the final.
• Earned the Bronze Shoe and Silver Ball for her performance.

2010

• Earned her first USWNT cap against Mexico.
• Scored her first senior international goal against China.
• Netted a crucial goal against Italy to help the U.S. qualify for the World Cup.

2011

• Youngest player on the USWNT World Cup roster.
• Scored in the semifinal against France and the final against Japan.
• Finished eighth in FIFA World Player of the Year voting.

2012

• Scored the dramatic 123rd-minute game-winner against Canada in the Olympic semifinal.
• Won gold at the London Olympics.
• Tallied 28 goals and 21 assists, becoming just the second U.S. player to record a 20-goal, 20-assist season.
• Named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year and FIFA World Player of the Year finalist.

2013

• Joined Portland Thorns FC in the NWSL’s inaugural season.
• Helped the Thorns win the league championship.

2015

• Won her first FIFA Women’s World Cup.
• Scored in the Round of 16 against Colombia.
• Played in all seven matches despite battling injuries.

2016

• Joined Orlando Pride as a founding player.

2017

• Signed with Lyon, winning a historic treble, including the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
• Returned to Orlando Pride later that year.

2019

• Co-captained the USWNT to another World Cup title.
• Scored six goals, including five in a single match against Thailand.
• Viral “tea-sip” celebration against England became an iconic moment.
• Won the Silver Boot and was named to the World Cup Dream Team.

2020

• Gave birth to her daughter, Charlie.
• Briefly played for Tottenham Hotspur in England.

2021

• Returned to Orlando Pride.

2022

• Signed with San Diego Wave FC in their debut NWSL season.
• Won the NWSL Golden Boot as the league’s top scorer.

2023

• Competed in her fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup.
• Started all group-stage matches but did not score.
• The USWNT was eliminated in the Round of 16, marking their earliest exit in history.

2024

• Scored in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup opener.
• Left off the U.S. Olympic roster for the first time since 2008.
• Announced her retirement from international soccer in September, saying it was “the right time.”
• Retired with 123 international goals in 224 appearances, ranking fourth all-time for the USWNT.

Alex Morgan’s Career Stats

Early Career

• Began playing at AYSO Region 31.
• Played for UC Berkeley (2007–2010), scoring 45 goals in 67 appearances, establishing herself as one of the top collegiate players.

Club Career Highlights

• West Coast FC (2008–2009): 2 games, 2 goals
• California Storm (2010): 3 games, 5 goals
• Pali Blues (2010): 3 games, 1 goal
• Western New York Flash (2011): 13 games, 4 goals
• Seattle Sounders Women (2012): 3 games, 2 goals
• Portland Thorns (2013–2015): 36 games, 15 goals
• Orlando Pride (2016, 2017–2021): 66 games, 23 goals (with a brief break for Lyon & Tottenham
• Lyon (2017): 8 games, 5 goals
• Tottenham Hotspur (2020): 4 games, 2 goals
• San Diego Wave (2022–2024): 48 games, 22 goals

Alex Morgan’s Trophy Cabinet

FIFA & International

• FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion (2015, 2019)
• Olympic Gold Medalist (2012)
• Olympic Bronze Medalist (2020)
• FIFA World Cup Silver Ball (2019) – 2nd best player of the tournament
• FIFA World Cup Bronze Boot (2019) – 3rd top scorer
• FIFA Women’s World Cup Silver Boot (2019)
• CONCACAF Player of the Year (2013, 2016, 2017, 2018)
• U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year (2012, 2018)
• FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Champion (2008)
• CONCACAF Women’s Championship Winner (2014, 2018, 2022)
• CONCACAF W Gold Cup Winner (2024)
• CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament Winner (2012, 2016)
• SheBelieves Cup Winner (2016, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
• Algarve Cup Winner (2011, 2013, 2015)
• Four Nations Tournament Winner (2011)

NWSL & Club

• WPS Champion (2011 – Western New York Flash)
• NWSL Champion (2013 – Portland Thorns)
• NWSL Challenge Cup Winner (2022 – San Diego Wave)
• NWSL Shield Winner (2023 – San Diego Wave)
• NWSL Challenge Cup Winner (2024 – San Diego Wave)
• NWSL Golden Boot (2017, 2022) – Top scorer with 9 goals (2017)
• NWSL Best XI (2017, 2022)
• Division 1 Féminine Champion (2016–17 – Lyon)
• Coupe de France Féminine Winner (2016–17 – Lyon)
• UEFA Women’s Champions League Winner (2016–17 – Lyon)

When Did Alex Morgan Retire?

Thank you🫶 pic.twitter.com/8BkofVOh3s

— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) September 5, 2024

Alex Morgan officially retired from professional football on September 8, 2024, after playing her final match with San Diego Wave FC. In an emotional farewell video shared on social media , she reflected on her journey and said, “It’s hard to put into words what this game has given me, but I knew it was time to step away.”

Just as she closed the chapter on her playing career, Morgan shared another life-changing announcement. She and her husband, Servando Carrasco, were expecting their second child. “As one chapter closed, another began,” she said at the time. “I was beyond excited to grow my family and take on this new role.”

Her retirement was met with an outpouring of love from fans, teammates, and the football community. She expressed gratitude for the moments that defined her career, saying, “The teammates, the fans, the battles on the field. Those were the moments I cherished most.” Though she stepped away from professional play, Morgan made it clear that her impact on the game was far from over. “This sport gave me so much, and I’ll always find ways to give back.”

Alex Morgan: More Than a Football Star

Storyteller on and off the Field

Alex Morgan’s passion for football doesn’t stop at the final whistle. She’s also a bestselling author. In 2012, she teamed up with James Frey to create The Kicks, a middle-grade book series that celebrates friendship, leadership, and the love of the game. Her debut novel, Saving the Team, became a New York Times bestseller, proving that her impact reaches far beyond the pitch. The book’s success even led to a live-action adaptation on Amazon Prime in 2015, inspiring a new generation of young athletes.

The Face of a Generation

With endorsement deals from Nike, AT&T, Coca-Cola and McDonald’s, Morgan became the highest-paid U.S. women’s football player in 2015, largely thanks to her sponsorships. She’s headlined major ad campaigns, from Bridgestone to Chobani, and even helped launch Ubisoft’s Just Dance 4. In 2018, she took her brand to the next level, teaming up with Molecule, a high-performance recovery mattress company, proving that she’s always looking out for athletes’ well-being.

From the Pitch to Pop Culture

Morgan’s influence extends far beyond football. She’s been featured on the covers of Sports Illustrated, Vogue, and ESPN The Magazine, even appearing in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. In 2018, she made her acting debut in Alex & Me, a family-friendly soccer film where she played an inspiring role model. She also made waves in music, appearing in Maroon 5’s Girls Like You video alongside other trailblazing women.
And in the gaming world? She made history in FIFA 16 as one of the first women featured on a FIFA cover, later becoming a playable character in FIFA 19, helping shape the game’s first-ever female protagonist, Kim Hunter.

Alex Morgan’s Fight for Equal Pay in Football

Alex Morgan has been at the forefront of the battle for equal pay in women’s football, using her platform to challenge gender disparities in sports. As a key member of the U.S. Women’s National Team, she played a leading role in the team’s legal fight against U.S. Soccer, advocating for the same compensation, benefits, and working conditions as the men’s team. The lawsuit gained international attention, sparking conversations about gender equality in sports. Their fight was not just about money. It was about respect, investment, and recognition for their achievements, which included multiple World Cup titles and Olympic medals.

Morgan remained vocal throughout the legal battle, speaking at public events, testifying before Congress, and leveraging her media presence to push for change. After years of negotiations, the USWNT reached a landmark settlement in 2022, securing $24 million in back pay and a new collective bargaining agreement that guarantees equal pay for men’s and women’s national team players moving forward.

Beyond the courtroom, Morgan has continued to champion equal pay in global football. She has pushed FIFA to increase prize money for the Women’s World Cup and has encouraged brands and sponsors to invest in women’s sports at the same level as men’s. Her advocacy has helped set a new standard, proving that women athletes deserve the same financial and professional opportunities as their male counterparts.

The Story Behind Alex Morgan’s Tea Sip Celebration

One of the most unforgettable moments in Alex Morgan’s career came during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup semifinal against England. After scoring a crucial goal, she brought her fingers to her lips, raised her pinky, and mimed sipping tea. The celebration instantly went viral, igniting both admiration and controversy around the world.

Morgan later explained that the gesture was a lighthearted tribute to actress Sophie Turner, who often ended social media videos with the phrase, “and that’s the tea.” While many saw it as a playful and confident moment, some English fans and media viewed it as disrespectful. The debate quickly escalated, highlighting the differing standards applied to goal celebrations in men’s and women’s football.

Despite the backlash, the “tea sip” became an enduring image of the tournament. It showcased Morgan’s competitive edge, her ability to captivate audiences beyond the game, and the cultural impact of the USWNT’s dominance on the world stage.

Alex Morgan’s Teammate for Life: Her Husband and Growing Family

Alex Morgan is married to Servando Carrasco, a former professional football player who spent nearly a decade in Major League Soccer (MLS). Born in California and raised in Tijuana, Mexico, Carrasco played collegiate soccer at the University of California, Berkeley, where he met Morgan. Their shared passion for the sport quickly bonded them, leading to a relationship that culminated in marriage on New Year’s Eve in 2014.

Throughout their careers, Morgan and Carrasco supported each other while balancing the challenges of professional football. Carrasco played for several MLS teams, including the Seattle Sounders, Orlando City, and LA Galaxy, while Morgan rose to global stardom with the U.S. Women’s National Team. Despite often living in different cities due to their careers, the couple remained strong, making their long-distance marriage work.

In October 2019, Morgan and Carrasco announced they were expecting their first child. On May 7, 2020, they welcomed their daughter, Charlie Elena Carrasco. Morgan has frequently spoken about how motherhood has added a new perspective to her career, inspiring her to continue breaking barriers in women’s football. Charlie has even made appearances at Morgan’s games, showing that the football star seamlessly blends her roles as an athlete and a mother.

During her retirement announcement in September 2024, Morgan revealed she was pregnant with their second child, marking another exciting milestone for their growing family. As one of the most recognizable figures in women’s sports, Morgan continues to show that it’s possible to chase dreams on and off the field, proving that being a world-class athlete and a devoted mother can go hand in hand.

The Alex Morgan Foundation: Creating Opportunities for Women and Girls

Alex Morgan has always been a force for change in women’s football, and in 2023, she took that commitment a step further by launching the Alex Morgan Foundation. Focused on breaking down barriers for women and girls, the foundation invests in programs that provide access to sports, leadership development, and essential community support.

One of its key initiatives, Let’s Go South Bay!, expands football opportunities for young girls in San Diego’s South Bay region. The foundation also partners with Casa Familiar to help low-income women develop leadership skills and advocate for their communities. Additionally, Alex’s Homebreak ensures local girls’ teams can attend San Diego Wave FC games for free, making professional women’s football more accessible.

Through the Alex Morgan Foundation, she is using her platform to level the playing field, giving the next generation of girls the support they need to thrive in sports and beyond