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

Mar. 15, 2025

Alex Morgan.Photo:Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty

Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty

LongtimeUnited States Women’s National TeamstarAlex Morganofficially 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 inan Instagram videoshared 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 daughterCharlie.

“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 starsMegan RapinoeandCarli 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.

Alex Morgan.Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

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

Alex Morgan holds her daughter Charlie Carrasco after a game in February 2023.Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty

Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty

Current USWNT starsRose Lavelleand 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 designerKristin Juszczyk, the wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.WNBA starCaitlin Clarkalso 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.

Alex Morgan, Servando Carrasco and their daughter Charlie Carrasco.Alex Morgan/Instagram

Alex Morgan/Instagram

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.”

source: people.com