Honestly, it feels weird to talk about the USWNT without immediately picturing the number 13 jersey. For over a decade, Alex Morgan wasn't just a player; she was the literal face of American soccer. When she announced her retirement in September 2024, it sent a shockwave through the sports world that we’re still sort of processing today in 2026.
She left the pitch on her own terms, pregnant with her second child and carrying a resume that most athletes wouldn't dare dream of. But if you think her story ended when she walked off the grass at Snapdragon Stadium, you’ve got it all wrong.
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The Reality of Alex Morgan US Soccer Career
Most fans remember the "tea sip" against England or the last-minute header in the 2012 Olympics. Those moments are legendary. But the sheer weight of her statistics is what anchors her as a top-five all-time great. We're talking 123 international goals. That puts her fifth on the USWNT all-time list, tucked right behind absolute titans like Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach.
What’s even crazier is her record in games where she actually found the net. In the 86 matches where Morgan scored, the U.S. never lost. Not once. They went 76-0-10. That isn't just luck; it's a testament to how she functioned as a "closer" for the national team.
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Breaking Down the Major Milestones
- The 2011 Breakout: She was the youngest player on that World Cup squad, famously coming off the bench to score in both the semifinal and the final.
- The 2012 Golden Year: This was peak Morgan. She joined Mia Hamm as the only American woman to drop 20 goals and 20 assists in a single calendar year.
- The Back-to-Back Titles: Winning in 2015 and 2019 cemented her as a winner who could handle the pressure of being the primary target up top.
- The Motherhood Comeback: After giving birth to her daughter Charlie in 2020, she returned to the field in just five months. She eventually passed Joy Fawcett for the most goals scored as a mother in USWNT history.
Why the 2024 Departure Was So Different
When Emma Hayes took over as the head coach of the USWNT, the "changing of the guard" became very real. Morgan was left off the 2024 Olympic roster, a move that hurt fans but arguably paved the way for her to find "clarity," as she put it. She didn't let the omission define her. Instead, she played a few more months with the San Diego Wave, led them to a Challenge Cup title, and then dropped the news that she was ready to be a "full-time mom and a part-time mogul."
Moving Into the Boardroom
If you’re looking for where Alex Morgan is now, don’t look at the sidelines—look at the cap table. She’s become a massive player in the business side of sports. She didn't just take her earnings and disappear; she co-founded Togethxr, a media company that has basically forced the industry to pay attention to women’s sports. You’ve probably seen those "Everyone Watches Women's Sports" shirts? That’s her. That campaign alone pulled in over $6 million.
She also launched the Alex Morgan Foundation in 2023. It’s not just a vanity project. The foundation focuses on sports equity and supporting moms, which makes sense given how much she struggled and fought for maternal rights during her own playing days. She’s now a minority investor in the San Diego Wave, too. It’s pretty cool to see a player go from scoring the club's first-ever goal to literally owning a piece of the team.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Her Impact
A lot of people think she was just a fast striker. Early on, sure, her speed was her greatest weapon. But by the time she retired, she had evolved into one of the most intelligent hold-up players in the game. She knew how to draw defenders away to open space for the next generation—the Sophia Smiths and Trinity Rodmans of the world.
Off the field, her legacy is even more complex. She was one of the lead plaintiffs in the equal pay lawsuit against U.S. Soccer. That battle lasted years. It was ugly at times. But because she stayed the course, the current crop of USWNT players is walking into a world where they are paid exactly the same as the men. That’s her real "goal."
Actionable Takeaways from the Morgan Era
- Watch the transition: Keep an eye on the NWSL investment trends. Morgan is part of a wave of former players (like Brandi Chastain and Sue Bird) who are shifting from athletes to owners, which is rapidly increasing team valuations.
- Support the Media: If you want the "Alex Morgan effect" to continue, follow outlets like Togethxr that prioritize female-led sports narratives.
- Legacy Matters: Whether you’re an athlete or in a 9-to-5, Morgan’s career proves that you can be "excellent" while simultaneously fighting to change the system you work within.
The era of Alex Morgan in a US soccer jersey is over, but her influence on how the game is funded, watched, and respected is really just hitting its stride. She didn't just play the game; she rebuilt the stadium.