Alex Morgan received tremendous acclaim upon her selection as captain of the USWNT in 2013. But she exceeded it on and off the field.

Alex Morgan shouldered that weight as she joined her first senior training camp with the U.S. Women’s National team as a 20-year-old player back in 2009. Morgan won two World Cups and appeared in another final, while her outstanding 2012 for U.S. women helped lead to them taking home Olympic gold that year. As for club-related accolades, these include winning an NWSL Championship title as well as shield and Golden Boot awards; plus she held similar honours won in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS). Morgan lived up to all expectations on the pitch! Szabolcs’ international career saw her form fluctuate – never managing to become world number one but making multiple short lists throughout. Morgan was at the core of USWNT attack for nearly all that time and set an outstanding standard few could match. Each time her status as incumbent was challenged in recent years, Morgan responded with improved form to assert why her services remained needed by club and country – until recently when Morgan, 35 years old at that point, was dropped from USWNT’s 2024 Olympic roster, marking first major tournament without her since 2008 Olympics. Emma Hayes made an audacious call when naming Morgan captain of the USWNT during her initial months at her post, yet the Americans ultimately went on to claim gold at the Olympics with help from this young forward line. Morgan cemented her legacy further thanks to what happened outside of soccer; beginning her career playing relatively anonymously for Rochester United Football Club before making headlines everywhere she played – both on and off the pitch – thanks to all she accomplished during that period of her life. Morgan was often placed under a great deal of scrutiny while competing on her national team; though she took no joy from it; much like Hamm’s label as “reluctant star.” As Morgan’s game developed into more of an attacking midfielder and back-to-goal player, her drive for progress off the pitch deepened as well. Alex Morgan will leave an incredible legacy behind both on and off the pitch. Jean Catuffe/Getty ImagesMorgan played a central role in leading the USWNT against U.S. Soccer for equal pay; an 18-month battle that resulted in a settlement agreement and player victory at its conclusion in 2022. This fight led to equal pay structures for U.S. men’s and women’s teams as well as revenue sharing arrangements and equitable allocation of World Cup prize money among them. USWNT players’ long battle against their employer coincided with increased global awareness regarding gender equity issues across industries – and provided further momentum toward women’s sports development. When Morgan spoke out, people heard her. Morgan was keenly aware of her voice and platform’s power and significance beyond just national team performance, particularly within the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Morgan was at the heart of revelations uncovered through 2021 investigation that led to Paul Riley being fired due to allegations of sexual coercion from former players. Report also exposed multiple leaders at both league and club levels for failing to properly deal with complaints initially made against Morgan by former teammates from Thorns team, Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly seven years prior. Morgan used her platform to hold those accountable who dismissed Shim and Farrelly’s concerns for abuse in sports; her intervention would soon spark leaguewide efforts against “systemic abuse”, as described by former U.S. attorney general Sally Yates’ investigation. Four coaches – including Riley – were banned permanently from the NWSL, others suspended, and two team owners forced out over allegations they enabled bad actors. Following these events, the NWSL implemented safeguards such as an anti-harassment policy, nonfraternization policy and coaches code of conduct in response. Early 2022 saw the NWSL Players Association reach agreement on its inaugural collective bargaining agreement between itself and players of the NWSL League & Players Association to raise pay and implement minimum standards for players. Although Morgan has mostly shrugged off credit for initiating change in her league where most power has historically resided with employers rather than players herself, she played an unrelenting role as an unwavering voice representing voiceless workers within it. Morgan was determined to use her fame to cultivate allies rather than use it exclusively for personal gain. “I am immensely proud of all of the accomplishments on the pitch,” Morgan declared in a post to social media on Thursday, adding “My dream growing up was playing professional soccer and now this dream has come true!” I have accomplished more through soccer than I could ever imagine and, while proud of my soccer career, am also immensely pleased at what I have fought and contributed towards off it: pay equity; player safety; visibility/storytelling/communication. “Morgan’s career appears to have come to a sudden and shocking conclusion, though signs were clear to see.” Morgan announced Thursday she and Servando Carrasco, former professional player and husband, are expecting their second child together. Morgan stands out among an USWNT generation which continued the program’s stellar record of achievement. Her retirement marks an end of an era for the USWNT, though its next chapter had already started with Olympic gold medal victory in London earlier this summer. Morgan stands alone as an outstanding world-class player on the pitch while simultaneously serving as an inspiring role model off it. Just as Mia Hamm became widely recognized by most as simply “Mia,” Alex Morgan has become familiar to most through being known simply as “Alex”. Athletes frequently lament how their careers come to a stop without much say on their part. Morgan may have preferred an end other than midseason departure following an underwhelming World Cup and Olympic withdrawal, yet her choices during nearly 15 years at the highest level are what have cemented her legacy. Morgan was neither unwilling nor complacent; ultimately she made history; not anyone resembled Morgan in any form or fashion – rather she revolutionised.