Women's soccer star Alex Morgan was given a hero's send-off as she walked off the pitch for the final time in her career in the 15th minute of Sunday's game between San Diego Wave FC and North Carolina Courage.
Morgan suddenly announced last Thursday that he was retiring from football and would play his final professional game on Sunday.
The U.S. women's national team star played 15 minutes for the Wave and had a penalty shot blocked in a 4-1 loss to North Carolina.
“There have been so many great moments in my career, but to have the opportunity to share this final moment with you all on the field is something I will cherish forever. I am truly grateful,” Morgan told the crowd after the game.
When Morgan was taken out of the game with 15 minutes to go, everything came to a halt as her San Diego teammates ran over to embrace her and fans began cheering and chanting her name.
A visibly emotional Morgan was seen trying to keep calm as teammates congratulated her on a glittering career that included two World Cup titles and an Olympic gold medal.
As his teammates formed a circle and applauded, Morgan handed the captain's armband to Wave keeper Kailen Sheridan.
As the 26,516 fans in attendance applauded Morgan, she waved to the crowd multiple times, including midway through the show.
Fans continued to chant “Alex Morgan” after she was carried off the field.
“You all pushed me every day to be the best version of myself — the best soccer player I can be, the best mother I can be, the best person I can be,” Morgan told fans, thanking them for their support over the years.
“They came every day and supported me. They encouraged me, they challenged me, and sometimes they criticized me. Thank you so much.”
Morgan said he expected about 80 family members to attend his final game and that his playing time would be limited.
Morgan announced last week that she was ending her professional football career, and also announced that she is pregnant with her second child.
The 35-year-old will be remembered as one of the USWNT's all-time leading scorers with 123 goals, fifth-most in USWNT history, and 53 assists, ninth-most in USWNT history.
She is one of just seven USWNT players to score more than 100 goals in her career.
Morgan led the United States to World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019 and an Olympic gold medal in 2012 and competed in four World Cups during her career.
On the club side, Morgan played 150 NWSL games with the Portland Thorns, Orlando Pride and Wave.
She won the NWSL title in 2013 and the NWSL Golden Boot in 2022.
Morgan played overseas for Lyon and Tottenham, and prior to joining the NWSL she played in professional women's soccer for the Western New York Flash, the club that was then the NWSL.
Morgan will also be remembered as a passionate advocate for women's sports, who worked to achieve equal pay and better working conditions for the U.S. Women's National Team and women's club teams.
“She will never get enough credit for all that she has changed in and around the sport.” “It's a big deal,” U.S. forward Trinity Rodman told The Associated Press.“For me, I just looked up to her.”
