EXCLUSIVE: The American football sensation who transformed women’s football

The footballer who most exemplified the power status of US Soccer in women’s football would be Alex Morgan.

A footballing sensation, a celebrity on the red carpet, a cover star of global fashion magazines, an advocate for equal rights, a spokesperson for diverse groups, an inspiration for mothers, and, simply, a winner…

Morgan is among the few female athletes who have achieved her level of success at the same rapidity and scale.

On Thursday, she declared her retirement, which represents a significant conclusion to a period in the history of US Soccer.

Morgan is a prominent figure in their second golden era, during which they were the victors of back-to-back World Cups in 2015 and 2019 and Olympic gold medallists.

The game’s most significant domestic trophies, including a league title in France and America, and the Women’s Champions League with Lyon in 2017, are listed on a second tab of her individual accolades.

Morgan has achieved nothing short of extraordinary in his career, having been named US Soccer Athlete of the Year twice, a three-time finalist for Fifa Best Player of the Year, and a member of the FifPro World XI on six separate occasions.

Motherhood, equal pay, and the utilisation of her platform

Morgan’s success has marked a significant period of development in the field of women’s football.

The spotlight was shone on female athletes, and she capitalised on it as her accomplishments on the pitch helped attract attention to the game.

Morgan has served as the image of US Soccer on a variety of platforms, including a statue in New York City’s Fox Square, advertising billboards, and magazine covers.

As well as having authored a series of children’s books, she holds a degree in political economy from Berkeley.

During the retirement announcement, Morgan disclosed that she was expecting her second child.

She continued to excel at the highest level even after becoming a mother, leading the USA attack at least during the summer’s World Cup while simultaneously tending for her three-year-old daughter, Charlie.

Morgan has been cited as a role model by numerous players, including Chelsea’s Melanie Leupolz, West Ham’s Katrina Gorry, and ex-Jamaica international Cheyna Matthews, and her insights on motherhood have helped accelerate support within organisations.

Morgan, cognisant of her prominence beyond the field of play, has not hesitated to leverage her platform. In 2021, she urged the National Women’s Soccer League to rectify the “systemic failure” that permitted a decade of alleged sexual misconduct and harassment.

Morgan was one of the primary figures in a lawsuit battle for equal pay, equal prize money, and equal working conditions within US Soccer in the previous two years.

The morality of permitting Saudi Arabia’s tourism authority to sponsor the Women’s World Cup was one of her concerns last year.

It has been suggested that Morgan, upon signing a surprise short-term contract with Tottenham in 2020, encouraged the club to expedite the transition to a full-time training model and enhance the facilities of the women’s team.

Following the announcement of Morgan’s acquisition by Spurs on a large screen outside a Leicester Square cinema in London.

The 13-0, the tea, and her legacy earned.

Morgan has undoubtedly had a significant impact on the world beyond the football arena and the United States.

According to Jeff Kassouf, co-author of ‘The Making of the Women’s World Cup,’ Morgan was “arguably the most recognisable woman who plays a team sport” in the world, as reported by BBC Sport.

However, there are occasions on the pitch that will remain etched in the memory for as long as her trophy success.

She scored the winning goal during a rivalry-fueled World Cup semi-final between England and the USA in 2019, and she celebrated by feigning to sip a cup of tea.

The New York Post’s front page the following day declared, “Not since Boston dumped it in the sea has England been dissed with tea like this.”

Hillary Clinton, the former first lady and presidential candidate of the United States, also expressed her support for the #USWNT on social media at the time, writing, “Congratulations to the #USWNT for earning that tea.”

Morgan, who scored five goals in the USA’s 13-0 victory over Thailand during the same World Cup, was subsequently required to defend their celebrations, which were perceived as disrespectful by some.

Morgan emphasised the USA’s winning mentality, which had kept them at the top for so long, as he stated, “These are goals we have dreamed of our entire life.”

In the London 2012 Olympics semi-final, she also struck a critical last-minute goal, and the United States ultimately won the gold medal by defeating Japan 2-1 in the final.

Morgan’s persona has frequently been reserved, understated, and silent, despite her status as a global superstar both on and off the pitch.

Whenever she has elected to speak, individuals have listened attentively. She has consistently led her squad to victory when she has performed.

The definition of success for me is the act of never giving up and giving your all. Morgan declared her retirement in an external video that she posted. “I have been doing just that,” she stated.

“I’ve been giving my all every single day on the pitch, giving my all in the relentless push for global investment in women’s sport – because we deserve that – giving my all in my various businesses beyond the football pitch and giving my all to my daughter Charlie.”

Her influence has significantly influenced the development of women’s “soccer,” and a new generation of females now refer to Alex Morgan as their idol, rather than Lionel Messi. That is a lasting legacy in its own right.