Alex Morgan said one last goodbye to professional soccer Sunday evening, but the visiting North Carolina Courage spoiled Morgan’s farewell by defeating her San Diego Wave 4-1.
Morgan announced Thursday that she was retiring after Sunday’s match to cap a decorated playing career at the international and domestic levels. The 35-year-old recently learned she is pregnant with her second child.
Before subbing out for the last time in the 16th minute, Morgan had a chance at one last goal courtesy of a penalty kick, but North Carolina’s Casey Murphy saved the attempt.
Morgan’s farewell match drew 26,516 fans in attendance. She spoke to the crowd after the match, addressing them after thanking her teammates and family.
“You pushed me to be my best self every day,” Morgan said. “You pushed me to be the best soccer player, to be the best mom, to be the best person I could be, just showing up every day, supporting me, encouraging me, challenging me, criticizing me at times.
“I know people have come here with three days’ notice from Alaska, Massachusetts, Colorado, Florida, honestly, all around the country.”
Despite her best efforts, the Wave (3-9-7, 16 points) failed to pull out their first NWSL victory since May 8. Kennedy Wesley scored for San Diego.
Haley Hopkins, Feli Rauch, Bianca St-Georges and Meredith Speck found the back of the net for the Courage (10-8-1, 31 points), who have won five of their past six league matches.
San Diego goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan was issued a red card in the 60th minute following VAR review that determined Sheridan impeded a North Carolina player from an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. The Wave replaced Sheridan with Hillary Beall and played with 10 women for the final half-hour.
San Diego fell behind almost immediately when Malia Berkely’s corner kick found Haley Hopkins for a jumping header that evaded Sheridan’s reach in the fourth minute.
Morgan was involved early, putting multiple efforts on goal and taking three corner kicks. The biggest moment, though, came when North Carolina’s Denise O’Sullivan was called for a hand ball in the penalty area.
With the crowd on their feet, Morgan went to the penalty spot in the 10th minute. Her shot was parried away by Murphy, one of her teammates on the U.S. women’s national team.
The Wave got on the board in the 13th minute when Wesley deposited Maria Sanchez’s corner into the bottom-right corner of the net. That minute matched the jersey number Morgan wore throughout her playing career.
Morgan celebrated with her teammates, and then she began to exit the field. She hugged each teammate, took off her cleats at midfield and shed tears as she waved to the fans that were giving her a standing ovation.
A third corner-kick goal came at the 20-minute mark, courtesy of Rauch off Tyler Lussi’s corner. Rauch’s first career NWSL goal put the Courage ahead 2-1.
St-Georges tallied in the 45th minute and Speck added on during second-half stoppage time. The Wave, hindered by their red card, had few chances from there to attempt a rally in honor of their retiring teammate.
In addition to her time with the USWNT that included World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, Morgan played 150 matches in her NWSL career. She ranks fourth in league history with 60 goals and second with 18 game-winning goals during her time with the Portland Thorns, Orlando Pride and Wave.
“There have been so many incredible moments in my career,” Morgan said. “But this one, this last moment I share on the field with you, I will cherish forever. So thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
–Field Level Media
