On September 5, 2024, the legendary soccer star, Alex Morgan announced her retirement from professional sports. Morgan was the top scorer for the US women’s National Team and was the fifth all-time goal scorer in USWNT history along with Abby Wambach, Mia Hamm, Carli Lloyd, and Kristine Lilly. In 2022, Alex Morgan and her team protested for equal pay in women’s soccer, they ultimately prevailed.. Alex Morgan’s advocacy for equal opportunities and rights inspires thousands of little girls around the world to stand up for what’s right and to continue to push themselves.
I have looked up to Morgan since I was 6 years old. I remember getting my first poster of her at a little soccer store in San Rafael. I kept it safe until I found the perfect spot on the wall, it hangs on my bedroom wall to this day. She has taught me that women can achieve anything, and they deserve the same rights and opportunities as anyone else. Ever since I first saw Morgan play on TV, I have dreamt of watching her play live. When I heard she was retiring, I wanted to go to her last game to celebrate her long-lasting legacy.
My Mom surprised me with tickets to Morgan’s last professional soccer game. This would be my first and last time watching her play in the NWSL league. I am beyond grateful for that wonderful opportunity and the amazing time I had.
As I boarded the plane to San Diego, I was so excited. On Sunday, September 8, 2024, it was over 100 degrees in San Diego, California as the game started. My friend and I arrived at the stadium, we got to see the team’s starting lineup and warm-ups and some of my favorite players on the San Diego Wave team are Naomi Girma, Maria Sanchez, Elyse Bennett, newcomers Kimmi Ascanio, and Melanie Barcenas, who are only 16 years old, and of course, the star and captain of the team, Alex Morgan. Filled with joy, I yelled to Morgan and waved. She looked up from the ball and waved back to me. My jaw seemed to drop to the ground, I was so stunned, I was astonished. Morgan smiled and laughed while continuing her ball work. After she waved, I turned to my friend and said “Alex Morgan saw me, she knows that I exist.”
After the team finished their warm-ups, we rushed to our seats and waited for the game to start. Finally, Morgan and the team walked onto the field, they sang the National Anthem and spotlighted Morgan. They played a mashup of her best goals and moments on and off the field, with a voiceover of her retirement video. She talked about her experience, accomplishments, and joy she has had in her 30 years of professional soccer.
The game started with NC Courage VS San Diego Wave. Morgan had two close attempts to goal, the first was a long drive up to the right side, with a close shot to the left low corner. The second attempt was a penalty kick, while Morgan prepared, the whole crowd of 26,000 people were chanting “Alex Morgan” She sent the ball to the left top corner, but with a good save by Casey Murphy it punched out. After a few more minutes, Morgan was subbed off in the 13th minute of the first half, I got to see her take off her cleats and walk off the pitch for the last time. Every person in the crowd cheered and was holding up supportive posters of Alex. Morgan walked off the field in slight tears and everyone was yelling and cheering for her.
The game continued, and each player had great plays, but sadly, we ended the game with a score of 4-1 and NC Courage winning. Morgan came running out onto the field and the whole team surrounded her and congratulated her. Morgan’s daughter Charlie came out with a bouquet of flowers that were almost as big as her and handed them to her mom. Morgan continued with a sad and inspirational speech about her life as a soccer player, her life as a woman, and most importantly, her life as a mom. She shared her experience about playing and expressed her love for the fans and the family she has created on the field. She then walked a circle around the field thanking her fans for all of the support over her long career and ended on the field with a big team appreciation.
Morgan ended her career with 123 goals, 53 assists, two World Cup Championships, one Best Women Athlete ESPY Award, one Gold and Bronze Medal in The Olympics, and many more awards in her career. Morgan wore the #13 jersey because she and her sister never understood why “just a simple number could be unlucky.” When she and her sister grew up, they would have a hotel called “The Lucky 13.” That is why she decided to take that number on, and now, it will always be known as “Morgan’s number.” Morgan has inspired and created a path for thousands of girls and women around the world to follow their dreams. She has single handedly changed women’s sports for good, and will always be remembered as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
