If there was any football player who embodied US Soccer and its power status in women's football, it would be Alex Morgan.
Alex Morgan emerged as a transcendental athlete that helped push the US soccer to unprecedented heights on and off the pitch.
Surely enough, Morgan will leave the sport in a far better spot compared to the period when her career began thirteen years ago.
"I hope my legacy is that I pushed the game forward, I helped gain respect for the women's game and increase the value and investment in the women's game," Morgan spoke to reporters in her first public appearance since announcing her retirement on Friday, September 6 (PH Time) via Instagram.
One of the most decorated athletes in US women’s soccer history, Morgan announced that her last match will be on Monday, September 9 (PH Time) as her San Diego Wave host the North Carolina Courage in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
"We're in good hands, the future of women's soccer. The now, the present, and the future of women's soccer is in such an amazing place where I have done everything that I've needed to do," Morgan added.
The 35 year-old debuted for the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) in 2010, scoring 123 goals across 224 appearances. She is currently in fifth place behind the US women's soccer all-time scoring list.
Despite being a key figure that won two FIFA Women’s World Cups and Olympic gold in London 2012, she was left off the squad for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 but the US still claimed the championship.
"The future of women's soccer is in such an amazing place so I feel I have accomplished everything I came here to do.”
But just as illustrious as her football career, Morgan also used her influence to fight for equal pay.
She was among five players that include Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd, Becky Sauerbrunn, and Hope Solo who filed a wage discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2016, citing “inequitable pay and treatment” compared with the men's national team. In 2022, the sides agreed to collective bargaining agreements that gave the teams equal pay and benefits.
“I had a responsibility, not only a responsibility to fight for equal pay, to fight for sports equity... to uplift and protect players, but also to make the game an avenue to be able to play and make a living from," the 35-year-old said.
Furthermore, Morgan felt she has done enough in "helping to gain respect for the women's game" following her retirement from football.
"I feel like I've done my part. Fighting for equal pay in the team was such a pivotal moment in the history of women's soccer. It created a butterfly effect that is irreversible and I only see continuing to grow."
"That's why I'm so happy to say I'm retiring because we're more than fine - we are great."
Regarding her plans post-retirement, Morgan ruled out a possible job at the sidelines but she's not closing her door on sports entirely.
"I don't think coaching is in my future," Morgan said.
"I think that I've found my calling in investing in women's sports, doing as much as I can to get as big of a platform to women's sports as possible."