Alex Morgan

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7 Mar 2024

Alex Morgan

Alexandra Morgan Carrasco, born Alexandra Patricia Morgan on July 2, 1989, is a prominent American professional soccer player renowned for her role as a striker. Currently serving as the captain of San Diego Wave FC in the National Women's Soccer League , the premier division of women's professional soccer in the United States, she also holds the captaincy for the United States women's national soccer team. From 2018 to 2020, Morgan co-captained the national team alongside Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe.

After completing her studies early at the University of California, Berkeley, where she played for the California Golden Bears, Morgan was selected as the first overall pick in the 2011 WPS Draft by the Western New York Flash. In her professional debut, she contributed to the team's victory in the league championship. At the age of 22, Morgan became the youngest player on the national team during the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, where the team finished as the runner-up. Notably, she scored the match-winning goal in the 123rd minute of the semi-final match against Canada at the 2012 London Olympics.

Morgan achieved remarkable statistics, concluding the year with 28 goals and 21 assists. This feat placed her alongside Mia Hamm as the only American woman to score 20 goals and provide 20 assists in the same calendar year. She also became the sixth and youngest U.S. player to score 20 goals in a single season. Recognizing her outstanding performance, Morgan was named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year and became a finalist for the FIFA World Player of the Year.

Morgan played pivotal roles in securing victories for the United States at the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cups, earning recognition in the Dream Team for both tournaments. In 2013, she joined Portland Thorns FC during the inaugural season of the National Women's Soccer League, contributing to the team's championship victory. Following her time with the Thorns, she was traded to the Orlando Pride in 2016. Morgan's career also extended internationally when she signed with the French team Lyon in 2017, winning the continental European treble, including the UEFA Women's Champions League.

Beyond her on-field achievements, Morgan collaborated with Simon Schuster to write a middle-grade book series titled The Kicks, featuring four soccer players. The first book, Saving the Team, debuted at number seven on The New York Times Best Seller list in May 2013. Morgan also made her acting debut in the film Alex & Me, released in June 2018, where she portrayed a fictionalized version of herself.

Off the field, Morgan has been recognized for her commercial success, ranking as the top-paid American women's soccer player in 2015, primarily due to numerous endorsement deals. Notably, she, along with Christine Sinclair of Canada and Steph Catley of Australia, became the first women's soccer players to grace the cover of FIFA video games in 2015, appearing alongside Lionel Messi on the covers of FIFA 16 sold in the United States. Morgan's influence extends beyond the soccer field, as evidenced by her inclusion in Time's 100 Most Influential People in both 2019 and 2022.

Alexandra Morgan, born to Pamela and Michael Morgan in the Los Angeles County suburb of San Dimas, California, grew up with her two older sisters, Jeni and Jeri, in the nearby suburb of Diamond Bar. A multi-sport athlete from an early age, Morgan started playing soccer with AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization), with her father serving as one of her first coaches. Despite beginning club soccer at the age of 14 with Cypress Elite, Morgan quickly excelled, winning the Coast Soccer League under-16 championship and securing third place at the under-19 level.

Her high school years at Diamond Bar High School were marked by her impressive performance as a three-time all-league pick. The National Soccer Coaches Association of America recognized her talents by naming her an All-American. Known for her speed and sprinting ability, Morgan also participated in the Olympic Development Program regional and state teams, crediting the program for its significant role in her soccer development.

Reflecting on her experience with ODP, Morgan emphasized its importance in her growth as a soccer player, especially given her late entry into the club scene: Programs like ODP helped me, especially because I did come into the club scene late, and it was important for me to play as much as possible, play with the best players, and learn from the best coaches. That, for me, was crucial to my development.

Morgan earned a call-up to the United States under-20 women's national soccer team. However, during a scrimmage against the men's junior national team, she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, sidelining her until April 2008.

Despite this setback, Morgan's resilience and dedication to her craft would later contribute to her becoming a soccer star at both the national and international levels.

California Golden Bears (2007–2010)

Born in the Los Angeles County suburb of San Dimas, California, to parents Pamela and Michael Morgan, Alexandra Morgan grew up in the nearby suburb of Diamond Bar with her two older sisters, Jeni and Jeri. She engaged in various sports during her childhood and started playing soccer early on with AYSO, coached by her father. Despite not joining club soccer until age 14 with Cypress Elite, Morgan quickly made an impact, winning the Coast Soccer League under-16 championship and securing a third-place finish at the under-19 level.

Attending Diamond Bar High School, Morgan earned recognition as a three-time all-league pick and received All-American honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America . Known for her speed and sprinting abilities, she played for Olympic Development Program regional and state teams, crediting the program for its crucial role in her soccer development.

At 17, in 2006, Morgan joined the United States under-20 women's national soccer team but suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a scrimmage against the men's junior national team, leading to her absence from the team until April 2008.Continuing her soccer journey, Morgan enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, where she played for the California Golden Bears from 2007 to 2010. In her first season, she led the team in scoring, showcasing her talent early on. Notably, during a match against Stanford in the 2007 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship, Morgan scored a crucial equalizer in the final minutes, resulting in a 1-1 draw, although the team was ultimately defeated in penalty kicks.

Despite her intermittent national team commitments, Morgan consistently led Cal in scoring and contributed to the team's NCAA Tournament appearances for four consecutive years.
Morgan's outstanding performance during her junior year earned her a spot as a candidate for the Hermann Trophy and made her the first Golden Bear to be among the top three finalists for the award. Additionally, she was a finalist for the Honda Sports Award, recognizing the best overall candidate in women's soccer.By the end of her collegiate career, Morgan ranked third all-time in goals and points for Cal. She graduated from Berkeley one semester early with a degree in Political Economy.