Alex Morgan gets emotional send-off in final professional soccer match: ‘Will cherish forever’

Women’s soccer star Alex Morgan was given a heroes sendoff as she left the pitch for the final time in her career on Sunday in the 15th minute of the San Diego Wave FC’s match against the North Carolina Courage.

Morgan made the surprise announcement last Thursday that she would be retiring from soccer and that her final professional match would take place on Sunday.

The U.S. Women’s National Team star played in 15 minutes for the Wave and had a penalty shot saved in what was a 4-1 loss to North Carolina.

“There has been so many incredible moments in my career, but this one — this last moment — I share on the field with you I will cherish forever. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Morgan said addressing the crowd after the match.

When Morgan exited the game in the 15th minute, everything came to a halt as her San Diego teammates came over and hugged her and the fans began cheering and chanting her name.

How to watch Alex Morgan’s last game before retirement: SD Wave-NC Courage

A clearly emotional Morgan could be seen trying to keep her composure as teammate after teammate congratulated her on a memorable career, which included being a two-time World Cup winner and an Olympic gold medalist.

Morgan handed off the captain’s armband to Wave keeper Kailen Sheridan as her teammates created a circle and applauded.

She waved to the crowd several times, including from midfield, as the 26,516 fans in attendance applauded Morgan.

Fans continued to chant “Alex Morgan” after she had come off the field.

“You pushed me to be my best self every day. You pushed me to be the best soccer player, to be the best mom, to be the best person I could be,” Morgan said to the fans, thanking them for their support over the years.

Alex Morgan announces soccer retirement and pregnancy in emotional video

“Just showing up every day supporting me. Encouraging me, challenging me, criticizing me at times. Just thank you so much.”

Morgan anticipated about 80 family members to be in attendance for her final game and said ahead of time that she would be playing limited minutes.

In addition to announcing the end of her professional soccer career last week, Morgan also announced that she was pregnant with her second child.

The 35-year-old will be remembered as one of the top scorers in USWNT history, netting 123 goals, which is the fifth most for any player in the program’s history, and 53 assists, ranking ninth in USWNT history.

She is one of only seven USWNT players to score 100 or more goals over the course of their career.

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Morgan helped lead the United States to World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019 and Olympic gold in 2012, and appeared in four World Cups over the course of her career.

On the club side, Morgan played in 150 games in the NWSL in stints with the Portland Thorns, Orlando Pride and the Wave.

She won an NWSL title in 2013 and won the NWSL Golden Boot in 2022.

Morgan had stints overseas with Lyon and Tottenham and prior to the NWSL had played for its predecessor, Women’s Professional Soccer with the Western New York Flash.

Morgan will also be remembered as a fierce advocate for women’s sports and working to get equal pay and better conditions for the USWNT and women’s club teams.

“She’ll never get enough credit for all the things she’s changed, inside the sport and outside the sport,” U.S. forward Trinity Rodman told the Associated Press . “For me, I just looked up to her.”

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