USWNT legend Alex Morgan fights back tears as she announces her RETIREMENT with emotional message

United States women’s soccer legend Alex Morgan is retiring from the sport, she announced on social media Thursday morning. 

Morgan finishes her career with 224 appearances for the US national team, scoring 123 goals, the fifth-best all-time. She also has the ninth-most appearances for the Stars and Stripes of any woman. 

Morgan was recently left off the United States’ Olympic roster by new head coach Emma Hayes, leaving her international career in doubt. Now, she is hanging up the cleats for good. 

‘I grew up on this team, it was so much more than soccer,’ said Morgan via press release. ‘It was the friendships and the unwavering respect and support among each other, the relentless push for global investment in women’s sports, and the pivotal moments of success both on and off the field.’

‘I am so incredibly honored to have borrowed the crest for more than 15 years. I learned so much about myself in that time and so much of that is a credit to my teammates and our fans.’

Morgan fought back tears as she announced her retirement on social media on Thursday

‘I feel immense pride in where this team is headed, and I will forever be a fan of the USWNT. My desire for success may have always driven me, but what I got in return was more than I could have ever asked and hoped for,’ Morgan concluded.

Morgan spent the last two years playing for the NWSL’s San Diego Wave. She has mostly been based in the United States for her club soccer, but also has stints with European mainstays Lyon and Tottenham. 

She also ranks fifth all-time in USWNT history in combined goals and assists, only behind Mia Ham, Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd, and Kristine Lilly. 

Morgan does hold the USWNT record for goals as a mother, with 16, passing Joy Fawcett last year. 

After giving birth to daughter Charlie in 2020, Morgan represented the United States at the Tokyo Olympics and at last year’s World Cup. 

Morgan was the captain for the Wave in her final professional match on Sunday  against the Washington Spirit. She came off the pitch in the 70th minute, giving off no hints it was her soccer swan song.