Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, born on July 2, 1989, is a celebrated American former professional soccer player, novelist, and writer. She co-captained the United States national team alongside Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe from 2018 to 2020, and later with Lindsey Horan in 2023. Morgan's journey in soccer began at the University of California, Berkeley, where she played for the California Golden Bears before being drafted first overall in the 2011 WPS Draft by the Western New York Flash. Her professional debut marked the beginning of a remarkable career that included winning a league championship with the Flash.

At just 22 years old, Morgan became the youngest player on the national team during the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, where the U.S. team finished as runners-up. Her prowess on the field shone brightly at the 2012 London Olympics, where she scored the decisive goal in the semi-final against Canada. That year, she achieved a remarkable feat by scoring 28 goals and providing 21 assists, joining the ranks of Mia Hamm as one of the few American women to reach such heights in a single calendar year. Her outstanding performance earned her the title of U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year and a nomination for FIFA World Player of the Year.

Throughout her career, Morgan played pivotal roles in the U.S. victories at the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cups, earning a spot on the Dream Team for both tournaments and winning the Silver Boot in 2019. She began her NWSL journey with Portland Thorns FC in 2013, contributing to their league championship win. After her time with the Thorns, she played for Orlando Pride and later signed with French team Lyon, where she celebrated a continental European treble. In 2022, Morgan joined San Diego Wave FC, where she was awarded the NWSL Golden Boot and helped secure the NWSL Shield the following season.

Beyond her athletic achievements, Morgan has made her mark as an author, collaborating with Simon & Schuster to create a middle-grade book series titled The Kicks. The series debuted with the book Saving the Team, which quickly climbed to number seven on The New York Times Best Seller list. Additionally, she made her acting debut in the film Alex & Me, released in June 2018, portraying a fictionalized version of herself. Morgan's influence extends beyond the field; she was recognized by Time as the top-paid American women's soccer player in 2015 and was featured on the cover of FIFA video games, making history as one of the first female players to do so.

In 2019 and 2022, Morgan was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People, solidifying her status as a role model and advocate for women's sports. On September 5, 2024, she announced her retirement from professional soccer, with her final match scheduled for September 8, 2024, marking the end of an illustrious career.