Career Timeline of Alex Morgan: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Alex Morgan, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Alex Morgan is an American professional soccer player renowned for her accomplishments as a striker. She most recently played for San Diego Wave FC and the United States national team, where she served as co-captain alongside Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe from 2018 to 2020, and with Lindsay Horan in 2023. Morgan is a celebrated figure in women's soccer, known for her athletic skill and leadership qualities on and off the field.
2006: Called Up to U-20 National Team
In 2006, Alex Morgan was called up to the United States under-20 women's national soccer team at age 17.
2007: Joins California Golden Bears
In 2007, Alex Morgan began attending the University of California, Berkeley, where she played for the California Golden Bears and led the team in scoring during her first season.
April 2008: Return to U-20 Team After Injury
In April 2008, Alex Morgan returned to the United States under-20 women's national soccer team after recovering from an ACL injury sustained in 2006.
March 2010: First appearance for the senior national team
In March 2010, Alex Morgan first appeared for the senior national team as a substitute in a match versus Mexico.
October 2010: First international goal
In October 2010, Alex Morgan scored her first international goal after coming on as a substitute against China.
2010: End of Collegiate Career
2010 marked the end of Alex Morgan's collegiate career with the California Golden Bears, having played for the team since 2007.
January 14, 2011: First Overall Pick in WPS Draft
On January 14, 2011, Alex Morgan was selected as the first overall pick in the 2011 WPS Draft by the Western New York Flash, marking the first Cal player to be drafted in the first round of the WPS.
May 1, 2011: First Goal for Western New York Flash
On May 1, 2011, Alex Morgan scored her first goal for the Western New York Flash during the team's home opener, contributing to a 3–0 victory over the Atlanta Beat.
July 2011: Signs Endorsement Deal with Bank of America
In July 2011, Alex Morgan signed a one-year endorsement deal with Bank of America.
2011: Golden Boot in Algarve Cup
Alex Morgan won the tournament's golden boot in 2011.
2011: Drafted to Western New York Flash and World Cup Runner-Up
In 2011, Alex Morgan was drafted number one overall in the WPS Draft by the Western New York Flash and helped the team win the league championship. She was also the youngest player on the national team at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, where the team was runner-up.
January 2012: Becomes Brand Ambassador for GNC
In January 2012, Alex Morgan and Heather Mitts became brand ambassadors for health product company, GNC.
March 7, 2012: First career hat-trick
On March 7, 2012, Alex Morgan earned her first career hat-trick during a 4–0 victory against Sweden in the third-place match of the Algarve Cup.
May 2012: Goal Streak
Between January and late May 2012, Morgan scored 14 goals in a 12-match stretch including a sequence of three straight two-goal efforts on January 29, February 11 and 29.
June 2012: ESPY Nomination
In June 2012, Alex Morgan was nominated for an ESPY Award as the Best Breakthrough Athlete.
2012: Regular Season Appearances for Seattle Sounders Women
During the 2012 season, Alex Morgan made three regular season appearances for the Seattle Sounders Women, scoring two goals and two assists, contributing to high attendance numbers.
2012: Statistics in 2012
In 2012, Alex Morgan led the U.S. in goals (28), multi-goal matches (9), assists (21) and points (77).
2012: Olympic Gold and Record-Tying Season
In 2012, Alex Morgan scored the match-winning goal at the London Olympics semi-final against Canada. She finished the year with 28 goals and 21 assists, joining Mia Hamm as the only American woman to achieve this in a year.
2012: Olympic Semi-Final Winning Goal
In 2012, Alex Morgan scored the winning goal in the Olympic semi-final match against Canada in extra time. In the final, she assisted on a Carli Lloyd header.
2012: Joins Seattle Sounders Women
In 2012, after the WPS suspended operations, Alex Morgan joined the Seattle Sounders Women, along with other national teammates.
January 11, 2013: Joins Portland Thorns FC
On January 11, 2013, Alex Morgan joined the Portland Thorns FC for the inaugural season of the National Women's Soccer League via the NWSL Player Allocation.
May 14, 2013: Saving The Team Released
On May 14, 2013, Alex Morgan's first novel, "Saving The Team", was released and debuted at number seven on The New York Times Best Seller list.
June 2, 2013: Goals Against Canada
On June 2, 2013, Alex Morgan scored two-second-half goals as the U.S. defeated Canada 3–0 in front of a sold-out crowd in Toronto.
August 31, 2013: NWSL Championship Title with Portland
On August 31, 2013, Alex Morgan assisted on the second goal as Portland Thorns FC captured the league's inaugural championship title, defeating Western New York Flash 2–0.
September 3, 2013: Sabotage Season Released
On September 3, 2013, Alex Morgan's second novel, "Sabotage Season" was released.
October 2013: Partnership with ChapStick
In October 2013, Alex Morgan joined a two-year partnership as the spokesperson for ChapStick.
2013: NWSL Championship with Portland Thorns FC
In 2013, Alex Morgan joined Portland Thorns FC and helped them win the NWSL league championship.
2014: Season with Portland Thorns FC
During the 2014 season, Alex Morgan scored six goals in 15 appearances for Portland Thorns FC, helping the team reach the playoffs.
June 2015: Highest Paid American Women's Soccer Player
In June 2015, Time named Alex Morgan the highest-paid American women's soccer player, mostly due to her endorsement deals.
July 2015: Featured on FIFA 16 Cover
In July 2015, Alex Morgan became the first female athlete to appear on the cover of EA Sports' FIFA video game, FIFA 16, for the U.S. edition.
October 26, 2015: Traded to Orlando Pride
On October 26, 2015, Alex Morgan, along with teammate Kaylyn Kyle, was traded to the expansion team Orlando Pride.
2015: Limited Appearances for Thorns Due to World Cup
During the 2015 season, Alex Morgan made four appearances for the Thorns due to her national team commitments at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, scoring one goal.
2015: FIFA Women's World Cup Title
In 2015, Alex Morgan helped the United States win the FIFA Women's World Cup.
2015: Algarve Cup Win
In 2015, Alex Morgan was part of the USWNT that won its tenth Algarve Cup. She scored in the 3–0 defeat of Switzerland.
2015: Top-Paid American Women's Soccer Player and FIFA Cover Appearance
In 2015, Alex Morgan was ranked the top-paid American women's soccer player. She also became the first woman to appear on the cover of FIFA video games.
2015: End of Thorns FC career
The 2015 season marked the end of Alex Morgan's time with the Portland Thorns FC, after which she was traded.
March 2016: SheBelieves Cup
In March 2016, at the first SheBelieves Cup competition, Alex Morgan was awarded the Golden Boot and the MVP award.
July 12, 2016: Named to Rio Olympics Roster
On July 12, 2016, Alex Morgan was named to the United States' 18-player roster for the Rio Olympics.
2016: Division 1 Féminine debut
Alex Morgan made her 2016-17 Division 1 Féminine debut on January 14 during a 3–0 win against En Avant de Guingamp and recorded two assists.
2016: UEFA Women's Champions League debut
Alex Morgan made her 2016–17 UEFA Women's Champions League debut in the first leg of the quarterfinals on March 23 during the team's 2–0 win over VfL Wolfsburg.
2016: First season with Orlando Pride
Alex Morgan played for Orlando Pride during the 2016 season.
2016: Joins UNICEF Kid Power
In 2016, Alex Morgan joined UNICEF Kid Power as a UNICEF Kid Power Champion, to fight global malnutrition and raise awareness among kids.
January 5, 2017: Signs with Olympique Lyonnais
On January 5, 2017, Alex Morgan signed with French champions Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) for a reported $33,000 per month.
June 21, 2017: Rejoins Orlando Pride
On June 21, 2017, the Pride announced Morgan's addition to their 2017 active roster following the Champions League Final.
September 2017: Terminates Lyon Contract
In September 2017, Alex Morgan announced that she would terminate her contract with Lyon and return to Orlando for the start of the 2018 season.
September 2017: Joins Common Goal Campaign
In September 2017, Alex Morgan joined the Common Goal campaign, donating 1% of her wages to soccer-related charities.
2017: Leading Goal Scorer
Alex Morgan ended 2017 strong, leading the team in goals scored with seven.
2017: Continued career with Orlando Pride
Alex Morgan played for Orlando Pride during the 2017 season.
2017: Wins UEFA Women's Champions League
Alex Morgan started in the 2017 UEFA Women's Champions League Final and won the match after a penalty shootout. She subbed off after 23 minutes due to a hamstring injury.
2017: Travels to Tanzania as Sports Envoy
In 2017, Alex Morgan and her husband, Servando Carrasco, traveled to Tanzania as Sports Envoys with the U.S. State Department's Sports Diplomacy Office.
2017: Signs with Lyon and Wins Treble
In 2017, Alex Morgan signed with French team Lyon and won the continental European treble, including the UEFA Women's Champions League.
June 2018: Acting Debut in "Alex & Me"
In June 2018, Alex Morgan made her acting debut in the direct-to-video film "Alex & Me", where she portrays a poster of herself who comes to life.
July 2018: Joins Molecule as Ambassador
In July 2018, Alex Morgan joined the team of ambassadors at Molecule, an athlete recovery mattress and bedding company.
2018: Season with Orlando Pride
In 2018, Alex Morgan played in nineteen games for the Pride, contributing five goals, though the team's season was not as successful as in 2017.
2018: Co-Captain of US National Team
In 2018, Alex Morgan was named co-captain of the United States women's national team, alongside Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe.
2018: U.S. Soccer's Female Player of the Year
In 2018, Alex Morgan won U.S. Soccer's Female Player of the Year award.
April 4, 2019: Scores 100th Career Goal
On April 4, 2019, Alex Morgan scored her 100th career international goal in a friendly match against Australia.
August 2019: Last Appearance for Orlando Pride
August 2019 marks Alex Morgan's last appearance for Orlando Pride before returning on April 21, 2021.
2019: Limited Season with Orlando Pride
Alex Morgan spent most of the 2019 season on international duty and ended the season injured, featuring in only six games for Orlando and failing to score.
2019: FIFA Women's World Cup Title and Silver Boot
In 2019, Alex Morgan helped the United States win the FIFA Women's World Cup and won the Silver Boot.
September 12, 2020: Signs with Tottenham Hotspur
On September 12, 2020, Alex Morgan signed with English FA Women's Super League team Tottenham Hotspur.
November 7, 2020: Spurs Debut
On November 7, 2020, Alex Morgan made her Spurs debut, appearing as a substitute in a 1–1 draw against Reading.
November 27, 2020: National Team Comeback
On November 27, 2020, Alex Morgan made her national team comeback in a friendly against the Netherlands, marking her first appearance under coach Vlatko Andonovski after 509 days.
December 6, 2020: First Goal for Tottenham Hotspur
On December 6, 2020, Alex Morgan scored her first goal for Tottenham Hotspur in a 3–1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.
December 2020: Ends Tottenham Hotspur Contract
In December 2020, Alex Morgan ended her contract with Tottenham Hotspur and announced her return to the United States.
2020: End of Co-Captaincy with Lloyd and Rapinoe
In 2020, Alex Morgan's co-captaincy of the United States women's national team with Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe concluded.
February 2021: Named to SheBelieves Cup Roster
In February 2021, Alex Morgan was named to the 2021 SheBelieves Cup roster.
April 21, 2021: Orlando Pride win against Washington Spirit
On April 21, 2021, Alex Morgan made her first appearance for Orlando Pride since August 2019, playing in a 1–0 Challenge Cup win over Washington Spirit. She registered an assist on the only goal of the game.
May 2021: NWSL Player of the Month
In May 2021, Alex Morgan was named NWSL Player of the Month for only the second time in her career, after scoring in each of the first four games of the regular season.
May 2021: Potential End of Tottenham Hotspur Contract
May 2021 was the potential end date of Alex Morgan's contract with Tottenham Hotspur.
June 2021: Named to Tokyo Olympics Roster
In June 2021, Alex Morgan was named in the 18-player United States Women's soccer team roster for the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
September 21, 2021: Scores Sixth Career International Hat-Trick
On September 21, 2021, Alex Morgan scored her sixth career international hat-trick for the United States in a friendly against Paraguay in Cincinnati.
November 2021: Left Off USWNT Roster
In November 2021, Alex Morgan was left off the USWNT roster for friendlies vs Australia, with coach Vlatko Andonovski citing the need to give younger players valuable minutes.
December 13, 2021: Signed with San Diego Wave FC
On December 13, 2021, Alex Morgan's signing by expansion team San Diego Wave FC was announced.
June 13, 2022: Recalled to National Team
On June 13, 2022, Alex Morgan was recalled to the national team ahead of friendlies vs Colombia and the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship.
2022: Joins San Diego Wave FC and Wins Golden Boot
In 2022, Alex Morgan joined San Diego Wave FC; she received the NWSL Golden Boot as the league's top scorer that year.
2022: Won NWSL Golden Boot
In 2022, Alex Morgan scored a career-high 15 goals in 17 games for the Wave, winning the NWSL Golden Boot. She also became the third NWSL player to score four goals in a game.
July 17, 2023: Featured in Netflix Documentary
On July 17, 2023, it was announced that Alex Morgan will be featured in an upcoming Netflix documentary about the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team competing in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
2023: Won NWSL Shield
In 2023, Alex Morgan led the Wave to an 11–4–7 record and the NWSL Shield as the top team of the regular-season standings.
2023: Co-Captain of US National Team
In 2023, Alex Morgan was named co-captain of the United States women's national team alongside Lindsay Horan.
September 5, 2024: Retirement Announcement
On September 5, 2024, Alex Morgan announced her upcoming retirement from professional soccer via social media.
September 8, 2024: Last Match
September 8, 2024 was the date of Alex Morgan's last match after announcing retirement on September 5, 2024.
2024: Winning goal in the Challenge Cup
In 2024, Alex Morgan scored the winning goal in the Challenge Cup, marking the first time the Wave won this cup.
