Alex Morgan bids emotional farewell to soccer as pregnant USWNT legend retires after final cameo alongside daughter

Alex Morgan officially bid an emotional farewell to football as she played her final professional game on Sunday night, walking onto the pitch with her daughter Charlie.

Morgan, 35, announced on social media on Thursday that she is retiring from the sport after a long career because she is pregnant with her second child.

The U.S. women’s national team legend was a starter and captain for the NWSL’s San Diego Wave in her final match. She was substituted in the 13th minute, despite having worn her number for most of her career.

The Wave ultimately lost the match 4-1 to North Carolina Courage, with Morgan on the field scoring the lone goal for San Diego.

After the match, Morgan received flowers from her daughter, who then had her picture taken with the bouquet.

Alex Morgan stood next to her daughter Charlie during the final match of her professional career

Morgan was greeted by the crowd and her San Diego Wave teammates as she left the court

Morgan finished her career with 224 appearances for the U.S. national team, scoring 123 goals, the fifth most of all time. She also had the ninth most appearances for the Stars and Stripes among all women.

Morgan was recently dropped from the United States Olympic squad by new head coach Emma Hayes, putting her international career in doubt. Now she is hanging up her boots for good without having appeared under the former Chelsea manager.

Morgan holds the USWNT record for goals as a mother, with 16, passing Joy Fawcett last year. She became a mother in 2020, giving birth to Charlie. After giving birth, Morgan represented the United States at the Tokyo Olympics and last year’s World Cup.

Morgan is married to Servando Carrasco, a veteran Major League Soccer player.

The USWNT legend has spent the past two years playing for the Wave. She is primarily based in the United States for her club football, but has also had stints with European mainstays Lyon and Tottenham.

She also ranks fifth all-time in U.S. national team history in combined goals and assists, trailing only Mia Ham, Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd and Kristine Lilly.