What Happened?

An era has come to an end for the USWNT. Alex Morgan, with 223 caps and 123 goals for the national team, announced on Thursday morning that she will play her final soccer match this Sunday. Along with this announcement, Morgan revealed that she is expecting her second child, which influenced her decision to retire.

Morgan will step away from the game as one of the most decorated goalscorers in soccer history. Throughout her career, she scored 205 goals in over 400 appearances for club and country. Her impressive trophy collection includes two FIFA World Cup winner's medals, an Olympic gold medal, and six SheBelieves Cup titles.

What She Said

In a heartfelt video shared on social media, Morgan explained her decision to retire mid-season: "I'm gonna get to the point quickly. I am retiring, and I have so much clarity about this decision, and I'm so happy to be able to finally tell you. It has been... a long time coming. This decision wasn't easy, but at the beginning of 2024, I felt, in my heart and soul, that this was the last season I would play soccer. Soccer has been a part of me for 30 years."

The Bigger Picture

Morgan's international career had slowed down recently. New manager Emma Hayes left her out of the Olympic squad, and at 35, Morgan hadn't been a regular feature in the U.S. lineup since the team's early exit from the World Cup knockout stage a year ago. Hayes has since ushered in a new era for the team, with players like Sophia Smith taking over as the central striker, effectively ending Morgan's time with the USWNT.

Despite this, Morgan leaves the national team with 176 combined goals and assists, ranking fifth on the all-time list.