Alex Morgan, a celebrated figure in San Diego sports, had her jersey retired during a special ceremony following Wave FC’s match against the Houston Dash on Sunday. This moment marks her as the first, last, and only player ever to wear the number 13 for the club.
Former U.S. Women’s National Team teammate Ali Krieger addressed the Snapdragon Stadium crowd, reflecting on their 11-year friendship. Krieger praised Morgan as the ‘true engine of the team,’ highlighting how her presence elevated the performance of those around her.
Morgan, a striker who played for Wave FC from 2022 to 2024, is renowned as one of her generation’s most influential female athletes. Her accolades include being a two-time World Cup champion (2015, 2019) and a two-time Olympic medalist, securing gold in 2012 and bronze in 2020.
Having established herself in both foreign and domestic leagues, Morgan was among the first players signed to Wave FC when it was founded in 2021. She played a vital role in the club’s early successes, scoring the team’s first-ever goal and leading them to consecutive playoff appearances.
In the club’s inaugural season, Morgan earned the NWSL Golden Boot by scoring 16 goals, helping San Diego become the first NWSL expansion team to reach the playoffs. The following season, her contributions helped secure the NWSL Shield, awarded annually to the team with the best regular season record.
Upon her retirement from professional soccer in September 2024, Morgan held the title of Wave FC’s all-time leading scorer and assist leader, with an impressive tally of 28 goals and eight assists.
In May 2024, after her time on the field, she transitioned to a new role as a part-owner of Wave FC, contributing to the franchise’s success.
At age 36, Morgan joined an elite group as just the third player in NWSL history to have her jersey retired, following legends Lauren Holiday and Megan Rapinoe. During her retirement ceremony, Morgan expressed her gratitude, stating, ‘Three years with the Wave may seem like a short time in my career, but it’s these three years that were the most transformative for me.’
Beyond her accomplishments on the pitch, Morgan has been an advocate for women’s sports and a successful entrepreneur. In 2019, she co-founded TOGETHXR, a media company focusing on equal rights and investment in women’s sports.
In 2023, she established the Alex Morgan Foundation, dedicated to positively impacting the lives of girls and women in San Diego County and beyond. Additionally, she invested in the 3-on-3 professional women’s basketball league, Unrivaled.
After thanking her family and friends, Morgan turned her focus to the current Wave FC players, acknowledging their hard work. ‘The grind is real, and you girls do that every day,’ she said. ‘I’ll be cheering for you every day as a fan—and as an owner.’
Morgan concluded her remarks with heartfelt words for the fans, reinforcing her ongoing commitment to the sport and the community.
image source from：timesofsandiego
