US women's football star Alex Morgan to retire

By Can Erozden

US women's football star Alex Morgan, who plays for San Diego Wave FC, said Thursday that she will retire after a club match Sunday.

Morgan said she is expecting her second child.

"I am retiring and I have so much clarity about this decision and I'm so happy to be able to finally tell you. It has been a long time coming and this decision was not easy, but at the beginning of 2024, I felt in my heart and soul that this was the last season that I would play soccer," she said in a video on X.

Several countries, including the US, Canada, and Australia referred to football as soccer.

The 35-year-old forward confirmed that the San Diego Wave vs. North Carolina Courage fixture in San Diego on Sept. 8 will be her last match.

The two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist has been an integral player for the Team USA for years. She last played for her country in June against South Korea.

"Soccer has been a part of me for 30 years and it was one of the first things that I ever loved. I gave everything to this sport and what I got in return was more than I could have ever dreamed of," she said. "This is also not the retirement video I expected when I initially thought I was going to this, because Charlie is going to be a big sister. I am pregnant. And, as unexpected as this came, we are so overjoyed. To me, family means everything."

Morgan gave birth to Charlie in 2020 before returning to football to play at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics which was held in 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

She thanked fans, her teammates, coaches and staff for their support.

"Everyone who has played a part in my career has played some part in making me who I am today. I am so shaped into me because of you, because of soccer. I am forever grateful.

"It's been a ride and thank you," she added.

Morgan helped Team USA win back-to-back World Cup trophies in 2015 and 2019.

She won Olympic gold at the London 2012 Games, and a bronze in Tokyo 2020.

Morgan scored 123 goals in 224 caps for the US national team.

In addition, she won the 2017 UEFA Women's Champions League with French club Olympique Lyon.