Alex Morgan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Alex Morgan

Morgan with United States in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Alexandra Morgan Carrasco
Birth name	Alexandra Patricia Morgan
Date of birth	(1989-07-02) July 2, 1989 (age 36)
Place of birth	San Dimas, California, U.S.
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position(s)	Striker
Youth career
club soccer	AYSO Region 31
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2007–2010	California Golden Bears	67	(45)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008–2009	West Coast FC	2	(2)
2010	California Storm	3	(5)
2010	Pali Blues	3	(1)
2011	Western New York Flash	13	(4)
2012	Seattle Sounders Women	3	(2)
2013–2015	Portland Thorns	36	(15)
2016	Orlando Pride	15	(4)
2017	Lyon	8	(5)
2017–2020	Orlando Pride	38	(14)
2020	Tottenham Hotspur	4	(2)
2021	Orlando Pride	13	(5)
2022–2024	San Diego Wave	48	(22)
International career‡
2008	United States U20	10	(5)
2010–2024	United States	224	(123)
Medal record Women's soccer Representing  United States Olympic Games Gold 2012 London Team Bronze 2020 Tokyo Team FIFA Women's World Cup Winner 2015 Canada Winner 2019 France Runner-up 2011 Germany CONCACAF W Championship Winner 2014 United States Winner 2018 United States Winner 2022 Mexico FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Winner 2008 Chile CONCACAF W Gold Cup Winner 2024 United States
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of September 9, 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of June 4, 2024

Alexandra Morgan Carrasco (born Alexandra Patricia Morgan; July 2, 1989) is a retired American professional soccer player. She was a co-captain for the United States national team from 2018 to 2020 and again in 2023.

After graduating early from the University of California, Berkeley, Morgan was the first player picked in the 2011 WPS Draft by the Western New York Flash. She helped them win the league championship. At 22, Morgan was the youngest player on the national team at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, where the team finished second.

At the 2012 London Olympics, she scored the winning goal against Canada in the semi-final. In 2012, she scored 28 goals and made 21 assists. This made her only the second American woman to achieve 20 goals and 20 assists in one year. She was named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year. Morgan also helped the United States win the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup titles. She won the Silver Boot in 2019 for her scoring.

Morgan joined Portland Thorns FC in 2013 and helped them win the league championship. In 2017, she played for French team Lyon, winning the European treble, including the UEFA Women's Champions League. She later joined San Diego Wave FC in 2022. There, she won the NWSL Golden Boot as the top scorer and helped the team win the NWSL Shield in 2023.

Off the field, Morgan wrote a book series for young readers called The Kicks. The first book, Saving the Team, became a New York Times best seller. She also starred in the movie Alex & Me in 2018. In 2015, Time magazine named her the highest-paid American women's soccer player. She was also one of the first women's soccer players to appear on the cover of the FIFA video game in 2015. Morgan was recognized as one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in 2019 and 2022.

On September 5, 2024, Alex Morgan announced her retirement from soccer. Her last match was on September 8, 2024.

Early Life and Soccer Beginnings

Alex Morgan was born in San Dimas, California. She grew up in Diamond Bar with her two older sisters. She played many sports as a child and started playing soccer early with the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO). Her father was one of her first coaches. She began playing club soccer at age 14 with Cypress Elite. With this team, she won the Coast Soccer League under-16 championship.

Morgan went to Diamond Bar High School. She was known for her speed and was named an All-American. She also played for Olympic Development Program (ODP) teams. She said ODP helped her a lot because she started club soccer later than some.

In 2006, at 17, Morgan was called to the U.S. under-20 team. She had an injury during a scrimmage and did not play for the team again until April 2008.

College Soccer at California Golden Bears (2007–2010)

Morgan played for the California Golden Bears at the University of California, Berkeley from 2007 to 2010. She was the top scorer for the Cal Bears in her first season. Even with time away for national team duties, Morgan led Cal in scoring. She helped the team reach the NCAA Tournament four years in a row.

Morgan was a top finalist for the Hermann Trophy, a major award in college soccer. She finished her college career as one of the top scorers for Cal. She graduated early with a degree in Political Economy.

Professional Club Career

Western New York Flash (2011)

Morgan in 2011

On January 14, 2011, Morgan was the first player chosen in the 2011 WPS Draft by the Western New York Flash. She was the first player from Cal to be picked so early in the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league. Morgan scored her first goal for the Flash in May 2011. She played in 14 matches and scored four goals during the 2011 season. Her team won the regular season title and the WPS Championship that year.

Seattle Sounders Women (2012)

When the WPS league stopped playing in early 2012, Morgan joined her national teammates on the Seattle Sounders Women. She said she was excited to play in a city that loves soccer.

Morgan played in three games for the club because she was also busy with the national team and preparing for the 2012 Summer Olympics. She scored two goals and made two assists. With national team players on the team, the Sounders sold out many of their home games.

Portland Thorns FC (2013–2015)

Morgan with the Portland Thorns in 2014

In 2013, Morgan joined the Portland Thorns FC for the first season of the National Women's Soccer League. She scored her first goal for the Thorns in their home opener. She ended the regular season as the team's top scorer with eight goals and five assists. On August 31, 2013, Portland won the league's first championship title. Morgan helped with an assist on the second goal.

Morgan played for the Thorns again in the 2014 season. She scored six goals in 15 games. The Thorns made it to the playoffs but were defeated.

During the 2015 season, Morgan played only four games for the Thorns. This was because she was with the national team for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. She scored one goal that season.

Orlando Pride (2016–2021)

Morgan with the Orlando Pride in May 2018

On October 26, 2015, Morgan was traded to the new team, Orlando Pride. She scored four goals in 15 games for the Pride in 2016.

Lyon (2017)

Morgan with Lyon during the Women's Champions League Final, June 2017

On January 5, 2017, Morgan signed with French champions Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) for six months. She played her first game on January 14 and made two assists. She scored five goals in eight games during the regular season, helping Lyon win the league title.

Morgan also scored a hat-trick in the French Cup and helped Lyon win the Cup. She played in the 2016–17 UEFA Women's Champions League final, which Lyon won after a penalty shootout.

Return to Orlando (2017–2020)

After playing for Lyon, Morgan returned to Orlando Pride in June 2017. She scored nine goals in 14 games for Orlando in 2017. The team made it to the playoffs for the first time. Morgan was named to the league's Second XI team.

In September 2017, Morgan decided to stay with Orlando for the 2018 season. She played in 19 games and scored five goals. In 2019, Morgan played only six games for Orlando due to international duties and an injury. She did not score that season.

Morgan missed the early 2020 season because she was pregnant. She returned to training in September 2020.

Tottenham Hotspur (2020)

On September 12, 2020, Morgan signed with English team Tottenham Hotspur. She made her debut on November 7, 2020. She scored her first goal for the club on December 6, 2020, from a penalty kick. She scored another penalty the next week. On December 21, Morgan ended her contract with Tottenham and returned to the United States.

Return to Orlando (2021)

Morgan returned to Orlando Pride for the 2021 season. She made her first appearance for Orlando since August 2019 on April 21, 2021. She scored in each of the first four regular season games, a first in league history. She was named NWSL Player of the Month for May 2021.

San Diego Wave FC (2022–2024)

Morgan with the Wave in 2023

On December 13, 2021, Morgan signed with the new team San Diego Wave FC. In the 2022 regular season, Morgan scored a career-high 15 goals in 17 games. She won the NWSL Golden Boot as the league's top scorer. She scored all four goals in a 4–0 win against Gotham FC on May 7, becoming the third NWSL player to score four goals in one game. San Diego was the first new team to make the playoffs.

In 2023, Morgan led the Wave to win the NWSL Shield as the best team in the regular season. She scored seven goals that season.

Morgan started her 2024 season by scoring the winning goal in the 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup, helping the Wave win this cup for the first time. On September 5, Morgan announced her retirement from soccer. Her final game was on September 8, 2024, against the North Carolina Courage. She was honored before the match and played for 13 minutes, matching her jersey number.

International Career Highlights

Morgan with the United States women's national team in Frisco, Texas, February 2012

Morgan joined the U.S. under-20 team in April 2008. She scored her first international goal against Cuba. Morgan played in the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile. She scored four goals and helped the U.S. win the tournament. She won the Bronze Shoe as the third-highest scorer and the Silver Ball as the second-best player.

She first played for the senior national team in March 2010. She scored her first goal against China in October 2010. A month later, she scored a crucial goal against Italy, helping the U.S. qualify for the Women's World Cup.

2011 FIFA Women's World Cup

Morgan was the youngest player on the U.S. team that finished second in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. On July 13, 2011, she scored her first World Cup goal against France in the semi-final. She scored the first goal in the final against Japan and also assisted on another goal. This made her the first player to score and assist in a World Cup final.

2012 London Olympics

Morgan became a regular starter for the U.S. team in 2012. She scored twice and made two assists in the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying final against Canada. She scored 14 goals in 12 matches early in 2012. She scored her first hat-trick against Sweden in March 2012.

Morgan challenges Japanese defender Saki Kumagai for the ball as Mizuho Sakaguchi (6) and Azusa Iwashimizu (3) look on during their gold medal match at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

In the opening match of the 2012 London Olympics, Morgan scored two goals against France. She assisted on the winning goal in the next three Olympic matches. Morgan scored the winning goal in the Olympic semi-final against Canada in extra time. Her goal in the 123rd minute was a FIFA record for the latest goal ever scored. She finished the tournament with three goals and four assists.

In 2012, Morgan led the U.S. in goals (28), multi-goal games (9), and assists (21). She and Mia Hamm are the only U.S. players to have at least 20 goals and 20 assists in the same year. U.S. Soccer named Morgan the 2012 Female Athlete of the Year.

2015 FIFA Women's World Cup

Morgan returned to the national team in February 2015 after an injury. She helped the USWNT win its tenth Algarve Cup. She scored in a 3–0 win against Switzerland.

Morgan recovered from a knee injury before the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. She started her first World Cup game against Nigeria. She scored her only goal of the knockout stage against Colombia. Morgan also helped the team get penalties in wins against Colombia and Germany. She started in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup final as the U.S. defeated Japan 5–2 to win their third World Cup.

Morgan being challenged by Hikari Takagi (15) during a match against Japan in Cleveland on June 5, 2016

2016 Rio Olympics

At the first 2016 SheBelieves Cup in March 2016, Morgan won the Golden Boot and the MVP award. She scored in wins against France and Germany as the U.S. won the tournament. Morgan scored eight goals in her first nine games of 2016.

Morgan played her 100th game for the U.S. team on January 23, scoring a goal and an assist. At the 2016 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship, Morgan scored the fastest goal in tournament history, just 12 seconds into the game. She scored her third career hat-trick against Trinidad and Tobago. The U.S. won the qualification final against Canada, and Morgan was named to the Best XI for the tournament.

Morgan was on the U.S. team for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. She scored a goal in the opening match against New Zealand. The U.S. team was knocked out in the quarter-finals by Sweden. Morgan scored the tying goal in that game.

2019 FIFA World Cup

Morgan in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Final up against dutch defender Stefanie van der Gragt

Before the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, Morgan scored her 100th international goal against Australia on April 4, 2019. In the first group game against Thailand, Morgan scored five goals. This tied the World Cup record for most goals in a single game. She also made three assists. The team's 13–0 win was a new record for the biggest win in a World Cup match.

On July 2, 2019, Morgan became the first woman to score a World Cup goal on her birthday, in a 2–1 win over England. In the final on July 7, Morgan helped win a penalty kick that led to the first goal. The United States defeated the Netherlands 2–0. Morgan won the tournament's Silver Boot for being one of the top scorers.

2020 Tokyo Olympics

Morgan in 2021

Morgan missed some early tournaments in 2020 due to pregnancy. She returned to the national team on November 27, 2020, in a friendly against the Netherlands. In June 2021, Morgan was named to the U.S. team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She played in all six matches, and the team won the bronze medal on August 5. Morgan scored in a 6–1 win over New Zealand and made a penalty kick in the quarter-final shootout against the Netherlands. On September 21, 2021, Morgan scored her sixth career hat-trick for the United States against Paraguay.

2022 and 2023 World Cup

In June 2022, Morgan was called back to the national team. She helped the team win their third straight CONCACAF title and qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. She scored the winning goal from a penalty kick in a 1–0 victory over Canada in the final. She also helped the U.S. qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup by scoring twice against Haiti. She was named the best player of the tournament.

Morgan played in her fourth World Cup in 2023. She started all three group games and the Round of 16 game against Sweden. However, she did not score any goals in the tournament. The U.S. team lost in a penalty shootout, which was their earliest exit from the World Cup.

2024 Final Matches

Morgan was called to the squad for the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup as a replacement. She scored a goal against the Dominican Republic in their first game.

Morgan was not chosen for the 2024 Summer Olympics team. On September 5, 2024, she announced her retirement from soccer. She said she felt it was time to stop playing. She retired after announcing she was pregnant with her second child. On March 30, 2025, she welcomed her second child, a boy named Enzo.

Other Activities

Books and TV Shows

Morgan is a published novelist, and has featured in a number of advertisement campaigns and modeling assignments

In 2012, Morgan signed a deal to write The Kicks, a four-book series for middle school readers. The books are about four young girls and focus on friendship, leadership, and soccer. Morgan said she wanted her books to "inspire young girls." The first book, Saving The Team, was released in May 2013 and became a New York Times Best Seller. A live-action TV series based on the books, also called The Kicks, started airing in 2015 on Amazon Prime.

Endorsement Deals

Morgan has worked with many companies, including Nike, Panasonic, AT&T, and Coca-Cola. Time magazine said she was the highest-paid American women's soccer player in 2015, mostly because of these deals. She has appeared in commercials for Bridgestone and Nationwide Insurance. In 2016, Morgan joined UNICEF Kid Power to help fight global malnutrition.

Sports Diplomacy

In 2017, Morgan and her husband, Servando, traveled to Tanzania as Sports Envoys for the U.S. State Department. They held soccer clinics and visited schools to promote gender equality through sports.

In Popular Culture

Magazines

Morgan has been featured in many magazines. She appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2012 and 2015. She was on the cover of ESPN Magazine with teammates Abby Wambach and Sydney Leroux in 2015. She has also been in Health, Self, Shape, Vogue, Elle, Time, and Fortune magazines.

TV, Film, and Music Videos

In 2011, Morgan was in a TV commercial for ESPN's SportsCenter. She was a guest on Live with Kelly and Michael in 2012. In 2013, Morgan appeared in the ESPN documentary The 99ers, about the 1999 Women's World Cup team. In 2015, she guest-starred on an episode of Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn. Her cartoon likeness appeared on The Simpsons in May 2015. Morgan was a presenter at the 2015 ESPY Awards and won an ESPY with her teammates for Best Team. In 2018, Morgan appeared in the music video for the Maroon 5 song "Girls Like You". In June 2018, Morgan made her acting debut in the movie Alex & Me. In 2023, it was announced that Morgan would be in a Netflix documentary about the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Video Games

In July 2015, Morgan became one of the first female athletes to appear on the cover of EA Sports' FIFA video game, FIFA 16. She was on the U.S. cover alongside Lionel Messi. FIFA 16 was the first game in the series to include women's international teams. In FIFA 19, Morgan was a character in "The Journey" game mode.

Parades and White House Honors

Morgan and teammates during the ticker tape parade in New York City, July 2015

After winning the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, Morgan and her teammates were honored with a ticker tape parade in New York City. They were the first women's sports team to receive this honor. Each player received a key to the city. In October 2015, President Barack Obama honored the team at the White House.

Personal Life

Alex Morgan married soccer player Servando Carrasco on New Year's Eve 2014. They met while playing soccer at UC Berkeley. In October 2019, they announced they were expecting a baby girl, who was born on May 7, 2020. During her retirement announcement in September 2024, Morgan shared that she was pregnant with her second child. On March 30, 2025, they welcomed a boy named Enzo.

Morgan's teammates on the U.S. national team gave her the nickname "Baby Horse" because of her speed and running style. She received the key to her hometown, Diamond Bar, on January 24, 2016.

In September 2017, Morgan and teammate Megan Rapinoe were the first two female players in the U.S. to join the Common Goal campaign. This program asks players to donate 1% of their earnings to soccer-related charities.

Morgan is a vegan. She and NBA player Kyrie Irving were named Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities of 2019 by PETA.

Career Statistics

College

Club

Notes

International

Filmography

Music Videos

Honors and Awards

Western New York Flash

• WPS Championship: 2011

Portland Thorns

• NWSL Championship: 2013

Lyon

• Division 1 Féminine: 2016–17
• Coupe de France Féminine: 2016–17
• UEFA Women's Champions League: 2016–17

San Diego Wave

• NWSL Shield: 2023
• NWSL Challenge Cup: 2024

United States U20

• FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup: 2008
• CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship runner-up: 2008

United States

• FIFA Women's World Cup: 2015, 2019
• Olympic Gold Medal: 2012
• Olympic Bronze Medal: 2020
• CONCACAF Women's Championship: 2014, 2018, 2022
• CONCACAF W Gold Cup: 2024
• CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament: 2012, 2016
• SheBelieves Cup: 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023,2024
• Algarve Cup: 2011, 2013, 2015
• Four Nations Tournament: 2011

Individual

• FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Silver Ball: 2008
• FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Bronze Boot: 2008
• FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup All-Star Team: 2008
• ESPY Award Best Female Athlete: 2019
• ESPY Award Best Breakthrough Athlete nominee: 2012
• ESPY Award Best Moment nominee: 2013
• ESPY Award Best Team: 2015, 2019
• Women's Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year, Team Sport: 2012
• U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year: 2012 2018
• FIFA World Player of the Year finalist: 2012
• The Best FIFA Women's Player: 2019 (finalist); 2022 (finalist)
• National Women's Soccer League Second Best XI: 2013, 2017
• CONCACAF Player of the Year: 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018
• USWNT All-Time Best XI: 2013
• SheBelieves Cup Golden Boot and Golden Ball: 2016
• FIFA FIFPRO Women's World 11: 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
• CONCACAF Women's Championship Golden Boot: 2018
• IFFHS Women's World Team: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022
• IFFHS World's Woman Team of the Decade 2011–2020
• IFFHS CONCACAF Woman Team of the Decade 2011–2020
• FIFA Women's World Cup Silver Boot: 2019
• CONCACAF Women's Championship Golden Ball: 2022
• CONCACAF Women's Championship Best XI: 2022
• NWSL Golden Boot: 2022
• NWSL Best XI: 2022
• 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup: Player of the Final (MVP)

See also

In Spanish: Alex Morgan para niños

• List of FIFA Women's World Cup winning players
• List of Olympic medalists in soccer
• USWNT All-Time Best XI
• List of soccer players with 100 or more caps
• List of 2012 Summer Olympics medal winners
• List of University of California, Berkeley alumni in sports
• List of 2020 Summer Olympics medal winners