Alex Morgan Saluted by Fans As Legend Plays in Final NWSL Game Before Retirement
Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRT
Featured Columnist IVSeptember 9, 2024
Alex Morgan's iconic career came to a close on Sunday after she announced on Thursday that she would be retiring following the San Diego Wave FC's matchup against the North Carolina Courage.
Morgan played for 13 minutes, matching her number, before being subbed out of the match. The plan was always for her to play limited minutes.
She had the chance to go out in incredible fashion, with the opportunity to score on a penalty kick before leaving the contest, but her effort was saved.
As expected, the tributes came pouring in before the match in anticipation of Morgan's final hurrah:
National Women's Soccer League @NWSL"We wouldn't be here without you."<br><br>🗣️ <a href="https://twitter.com/trinity_rodman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@trinity_rodman</a> + <a href="https://twitter.com/sophsssmith?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sophsssmith</a> <a href="https://t.co/GBuQIQa1fy">pic.twitter.com/GBuQIQa1fy</a>
Mark I Am @lmanpunkAlex Morgan has entered the pitch for warm-ups for the last time. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MakeWaves?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MakeWaves</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AM13?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AM13</a> <a href="https://t.co/CBzY4h0RlB">pic.twitter.com/CBzY4h0RlB</a>
Fans and pundits alike also offered their thoughts on the legend's last hurrah:
Jose Sanez @jas2781Thank You <a href="https://twitter.com/alexmorgan13?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@alexmorgan13</a> 👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️<br><br>You are one of my heroes and the reason I love women's soccer.<br><br>Enjoy retirement and all the best on whatever comes next. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AlexMorgan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AlexMorgan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NWSL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NWSL</a>
Before the game, a number of prominent figures from across the sporting landscape also paid their respects.
"She's obviously brought a lot to the game, scored a lot of goals," AC Milan and USMNT striker Christian Pulisic told reporters. "Feels like I've been watching her for a while. Amazing career."
"Congrats on an amazing career, superstar gymnast Simone Biles wrote on social media. "Thanks for elevating women's sports!"
"What a legacy you're leaving... you're an inspiration for so many, including me!!" skier Mikaela Shiffrin posted.
Morgan, 35, had a monumental career. On the international level she won two World Cup titles with the USWNT and scored 123 goals, fifth all-time in USWNT history. At the club level, she won a title in both the NWSL and Women's Professional Soccer, alongside an NWSL shield and a Golden Boot.
Off the pitch, she was a huge proponent for the USWNT earning equal pay to their USMNT counterparts and was one of the faces of American soccer for parts of two decades.
She was undeniably a footballing legend in the United States. On Sunday, she had a send-off fitting of her impact on the sport.
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