Soccer icon Alex Morgan has retired from professional soccer. Morgan is a two-time World Cup champion, Olympic gold medalist, and one of the greatest goal scorers in the history of women’s soccer. Alongside players like Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan is a major reason why women’s soccer has successfully grown and thrived.
Now pregnant with her second child, Morgan’s last match took place on September 8, 2024, with her National Women’s Soccer League team, the San Diego Wave, taking on the North Carolina Courage. Her last game for the U.S. Women’s National Team took place on June 4, 2024.
In her 15 year career, Morgan broke countless records and earned the title of an American hero. Morgan transformed women’s soccer, both on and off the field. With her dynamic personality and pure love of the game, Morgan established herself as a firecracker that other teams feared, and a role model for women and girls all over the world.
Capitalizing on her impact, Morgan established the Alex Morgan Foundation, creating fairness and opportunity for women and girls in soccer and outside of it, and for mothers. Only her career of charity work and service could rival her soccer career.
Morgan’s cultural impact cannot be denied. Even in her absence from the field, the sport will feel Alex Morgan’s effect for generations to come. Looking ahead to the future of women’s soccer, it’s in good hands. When players like Alex Morgan start a fire, it continues to burn for a long time.
With players like Alex Morgan to thank, the National Women’s Soccer League is on the rise. Under commissioner Jessica Berman, the NWSL is disrupting the sports world in a positive way. Rules that have long stood in sports, particularly men’s sports, are reformed in the NWSL. From mental health support, family planning, and parental leave, to a culture of safety and security for women, the NWSL is making a difference.
Their efforts are not going unnoticed — the League is seeing groundbreaking numbers.
Notable NWSL accomplishments since 2022:
- Largest-ever media rights deal for a women’s sports league
- 32% increase in game attendance (2022 – 2023 season)
- As of 2024, social media followers are up 198% since 2023
- League expansion to 15 clubs
The 2024 NWSL playoffs are right around the corner, kicking off the weekend of November 8 – 10. The NWSL Championship will take place on Saturday, November 23. As a rapidly-growing league with loyal, dedicated fans, the National Women’s Soccer League offers infinite opportunities in the realm of promotions. Your brand could contribute to growing the League, inevitably becoming a part of NWSL history.
