Alex Morgan had the perfect opportunity for a storybook ending to her career, but it wasn’t to be.
Morgan started for the San Diego Wave on Sunday, just days after the striker announced that she was pregnant and ending her career after the match against the North Carolina Courage.
The 35-year-old started the match at Snapdragon Stadium, having said prior to the game that she would only be playing limited minutes.
After a pregame ceremony honoring Morgan, the Courage spoiled the party by taking the lead after just four minutes thanks to a Haley Hopkins header.
Though she was only set for a short period on the pitch, Morgan was given a perfect chance to sign off with a goal when the Wave were given a penalty just 10 minutes in.
But Morgan’s spot kick was too central and Casey Murphy, who has played with Morgan for years on the U.S. women’s national team, produced an easy save to keep the Wave off the scoresheet.
Just three minutes later, Morgan was removed from the match and given one last chance to say farewell after a monumental 15-year pro career.
The two-time World Cup champion exchanged hugs with all of her teammates before removing her shoes and bidding an emotional goodbye to the fans in San Diego.
The Wave would go on to lose 4-1 in a result that damaged its hopes of reaching the playoffs.
It wasn’t quite the ideal farewell, but Morgan’s legacy as an all-time great was sealed long before her final time on the pitch.
Watch Morgan exit pitch for final time
About The Author
