USWNT's Alex Morgan Announces She's Retiring from Soccer — and Is Pregnant: 'I'm So Happy and Proud'

The Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Cup winner is being celebrated as a "legend" of the game by athletes, former teammates

Longtime United States Women’s National Team star Alex Morgan officially announced her retirement on Thursday, saying she is “immensely proud” of what she’s accomplished throughout her decorated playing career.

“I’m retiring,” Morgan, 35, said in an Instagram video shared Thursday morning. “And I have so much clarity about this decision and I’m so happy to be able to tell you. It has been a long time coming and this decision wasn’t easy, but at the beginning of 2024 I felt in my heart and soul that this would be the last season I would play soccer.”

Morgan also announced she is pregnant with her second child. She and husband Servando Carrasco share one child together, 4-year-old daughter Charlie.

“I am pregnant,” Morgan said in an Instagram video sharing her two major life updates. “As unexpected as this came, we are so overjoyed. To me, family means everything. I wouldn’t be here without my husband and my family uplifting and motivating and encouraging and supporting me and sacrificing for me for the last 15 years as a professional athlete.”

Morgan won two World Cup championships, an Olympic gold medal and an Olympic bronze medal throughout her international playing career, which began when she joined the USWNT under-20 team in 2008. The San Dimas, Calif., native joined the USWNT senior squad in 2010 and became a mainstay on one of the most dominant teams in sports history.

Alongside USWNT stars Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd, Morgan co-captained the national team from 2018 until 2020.

Morgan was also named a finalist for FIFA World Player of the Year in 2012, and named the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year in 2012 and again in 2018. She also won the ESPY Award for Best Female Athlete in 2019, the same year the USWNT won its second World Cup in a row.

In domestic league play, Morgan won the NWSL Championship in 2013 with the Portland Thorns and the 2011 championship in the former Women’s Professional Soccer league.

Related: Alex Morgan Says Being a Mom Has Actually Upped Her Soccer Game — Here's Why (Exclusive)

“A legend of our game,” the NWSL’s Instagram account commented on Morgan’s retirement video. “THANK YOU.”

The USWNT also added its thanks to the longtime forward.

Former teammates and players around the league joined in honoring Morgan, who announced her final professional game will be this Sunday when she and the San Diego Wave FC take on the North Carolina Courage in NWSL play.

“Legend,” longtime USWNT teammate Abby Dahlkemper commented on Morgan’s announcement video. “There won’t be another like you. Love you and so proud to have been able to share the field with you.”

Related: Who Is Alex Morgan's Husband? All About Soccer Player Servando Carrasco

Current USWNT stars Rose Lavelle and Mal Pugh also praised Morgan, while forward Sophia Smith added: “I love you. Thank you for everything.”

Other figures from around the sports world joined in honoring Morgan following the announcement. “Congratulations! You are a trailblazer!” wrote clothing designer Kristin Juszczyk, the wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

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WNBA star Caitlin Clark also added to the praise, calling Morgan a “legend” and sharing a goat emoji, referring to the retiring star as one of the “greatest of all time.” “Congrats!!” Clark wrote.

Related: All About Alex Morgan's Daughter Charlie Carrasco

Team USA added that Morgan will be “forever a part of Team USA.”

In her announcement, Morgan reflected on her career accomplishments and said that her role in helping grow the sport of women’s soccer alongside her teammates on the USWNT is her crowning achievement. Morgan said that was made clear to her when her daughter Charlie told her recently that she wants to become a soccer player when she grows up.

“It just made me immensely proud — not because I wish for her to become a soccer player when she grows up but because a pathway exists that even a 4-year-old can see now," Morgan said, choking back tears. "We’re changing lives and the impact we have on the next generation is irreversible. And I’m proud in the hand I’ve had in making that happen in pushing the game forward and leaving it in a place that I'm so happy and proud of."

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