Alex Morgan closes one chapter, opening another: her departure has been announced
6 september 2024 в 04:13
Alex Morgan closes one chapter, opening another.
The star of the US women’s national team officially announced her retirement on Thursday, stating that while it was «not easy», the decision was «long overdue» and she has «a lot of clarity about it».
«At the beginning of 2024, I felt in my heart and soul that this would be my last season playing soccer», - said the 35-year-old Olympic champion in a video posted on Instagram and X, signing off with «Thank you 🫶».
«I feel a tremendous honor for having carried the crest for over 15 years. I have learned so much about myself during this time, and much of it is thanks to my teammates and our fans. I feel immense pride in where this team is headed, and will forever be a fan of the US women’s national team», - added the athlete, who made her debut for the US national team in 2010.
«My drive for success has always been able to push me, but what I received in return was more than I could ever ask for or hope for».
Morgan also revealed in the video that she and her husband, Servando Carrasco, who welcomed their daughter, Charlie Carrasco, on May 7, 2020, are expecting their second child.
«This is also not the retirement video I was expecting when I initially thought about it, because Charlie will be a big sister. I am pregnant», - said the mother-to-be of two.
«And while this happened unexpectedly, we are so thrilled», - continued Morgan. «For me, family means everything. I wouldn’t be here without my husband and my family, supporting, motivating, encouraging, standing by me, and sacrificing for me over the last 15 years as a professional athlete».
The two-time women’s World Cup champion said that her last professional soccer game will take place on Sunday, September 8, when San Diego Wave FC hosts North Carolina Courage.
In 244 matches for the US national team, Morgan scored 123 goals — ranking fifth in history — and provided 53 assists.
«I grew up on this team; it was so much more than just soccer», - she explained. «It was friendships and unwavering respect and support for each other, a relentless push for global investment in women’s sports, and defining moments of success both on and off the field».
Reflecting on her career achievements, Morgan said that her role in helping develop women’s soccer alongside her US national team teammates is her greatest accomplishment. She shared that it became clear when her daughter told her she wants to be a soccer player when she grows up.
«It just made me feel so proud — not because I want her to be a soccer player when she grows up, but because there is a path that even a 4-year-old child now sees», - said Morgan, holding back tears. «We are changing lives, and the impact we have on the next generation is irreversible. And I am proud of making this possible, pushing the game forward and leaving it in a place that I am so happy and proud of».
Morgan is a co-founder of Togethxr — a media and commerce company focused on equality, diversity, coverage, and investment in women’s sports — along with WNBA legend Sue Bird, Olympic swimmer Simone Manuel, and two-time gold medalist snowboarder Chloe Kim
The star of the US women’s national team officially announced her retirement on Thursday, stating that while it was «not easy», the decision was «long overdue» and she has «a lot of clarity about it».
«At the beginning of 2024, I felt in my heart and soul that this would be my last season playing soccer», - said the 35-year-old Olympic champion in a video posted on Instagram and X, signing off with «Thank you 🫶».
«I feel a tremendous honor for having carried the crest for over 15 years. I have learned so much about myself during this time, and much of it is thanks to my teammates and our fans. I feel immense pride in where this team is headed, and will forever be a fan of the US women’s national team», - added the athlete, who made her debut for the US national team in 2010.
«My drive for success has always been able to push me, but what I received in return was more than I could ever ask for or hope for».
Morgan also revealed in the video that she and her husband, Servando Carrasco, who welcomed their daughter, Charlie Carrasco, on May 7, 2020, are expecting their second child.
«This is also not the retirement video I was expecting when I initially thought about it, because Charlie will be a big sister. I am pregnant», - said the mother-to-be of two.
«And while this happened unexpectedly, we are so thrilled», - continued Morgan. «For me, family means everything. I wouldn’t be here without my husband and my family, supporting, motivating, encouraging, standing by me, and sacrificing for me over the last 15 years as a professional athlete».
The two-time women’s World Cup champion said that her last professional soccer game will take place on Sunday, September 8, when San Diego Wave FC hosts North Carolina Courage.
In 244 matches for the US national team, Morgan scored 123 goals — ranking fifth in history — and provided 53 assists.
«I grew up on this team; it was so much more than just soccer», - she explained. «It was friendships and unwavering respect and support for each other, a relentless push for global investment in women’s sports, and defining moments of success both on and off the field».
Reflecting on her career achievements, Morgan said that her role in helping develop women’s soccer alongside her US national team teammates is her greatest accomplishment. She shared that it became clear when her daughter told her she wants to be a soccer player when she grows up.
«It just made me feel so proud — not because I want her to be a soccer player when she grows up, but because there is a path that even a 4-year-old child now sees», - said Morgan, holding back tears. «We are changing lives, and the impact we have on the next generation is irreversible. And I am proud of making this possible, pushing the game forward and leaving it in a place that I am so happy and proud of».
Morgan is a co-founder of Togethxr — a media and commerce company focused on equality, diversity, coverage, and investment in women’s sports — along with WNBA legend Sue Bird, Olympic swimmer Simone Manuel, and two-time gold medalist snowboarder Chloe Kim
© Kolganov Andrey
