The semifinal match-up between England and the USA at the 2019 World Cup was a fierce and cagey game. That night in Lyon was calling out for a hero with the game tied at 1-1.
In the 31st minute, Lindsey Horan sends in a cross into the 18-yard box and attacking it with a fine-placed header was Alex Morgan.
The goal and the subsequent ‘Tea Sipping Celebration‘ — a subtle jab at England’s tea-drinking culture — promptly ruffled a few feathers and made it into the news cycle.
Such was the level of importance Alex Morgan garnered on and off the pitch during her playing days.
Now that the curtains have fallen on a brilliant career, we take a look at how Alex Morgan became America’s biggest football superstar.
The Rise of a New Era in Women’s Football
Women’s football has grown exponentially in the 21st century, becoming a global industry that entertains and inspires millions.
Increased investment, better media coverage, and advocacy for gender equality have spurred this remarkable transformation.
The overall gameplay of the women’s game has also been on an upward trajectory, faster than that of the men’s game.
At the top level, one expects to see a game of football worthy of such standards.
Leagues like the Women’s Super League (WSL) in England and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States have become home to stars and icons.
The UEFA Women’s Champions League has also garnered record-breaking attendance across club and national team games. The April 2022 game between Barcelona Femení and Wolfsburg at the Camp Nou hosted over 91,000 spectators.
This progress has broken barriers and stereotypes, such as the belief that women’s football is not as entertaining or competitive as men’s.
At the heart of this revolution stands Alex Morgan, a trailblazing figure who exemplifies excellence on and off the pitch.
Morgan, a key player for the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT), has placed the spotlight on women’s football globally.
Early Life and Football Beginnings
Born on July 2, 1989, in San Dimas, California, Alex Morgan grew up in a healthy and supportive family that encouraged her to pursue her dreams.
Morgan showed promise and drive early, thriving in several sports before choosing football as her main focus.
She joined the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) at an early age, where her father, Mike Morgan, coached her and taught her the required values needed to excel in the sport.
Despite starting coordinated football relatively late compared to her peers, she came up to speed fast due to her natural talent and eagerness to learn.
Her speed, agility, and determination set her apart, even when she had fully grasped the game of football.
Morgan’s participation with the Cypress Elite Club in her teenage years came in handy as she progressed.
Coaches and sports staff recognized her potential and refined her raw talents, enabling her to find her best position on the field as a forward and attack-minded player.
At the age of 17, a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) threatened to derail her promising career.
However, Alex Morgan’s resilience and determination shone through as she recovered from the injury and continued to perform.
Her passion grew further when she enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, where she played for the Golden Bears.
College Success and Early Professional Career
Representing the Golden Bears from 2007 to 2010, Alex Morgan scored 45 goals and provided 17 assists in 67 appearances.
Her ability to deliver in crucial moments made her a standout player.
Morgan consistently powered her team to NCAA Tournament appearances, showcasing her quality for scoring decisive goals in high-pressure situations.
Her performance earned her All-Pac-10 honors and All-American recognition, showcasing her as one of the nation’s elite college players.
Unlike the European academy model, where young players transition directly to the professional setup through organized systems, Morgan followed the unique American pathway.
Like her peers in other sports, she had to go through the collegiate system while focusing on her academics.
This two-sided approach harnessed her technical skills and discipline while giving her a platform to play against a wide range of talent and opposition.
After graduating as the first Golden Bear to be drafted into the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league, Morgan began her professional career in 2011 with the Western New York Flash.
Her early milestones included winning the WPS Championship and earning her first call-up to the US Women’s National Team.
Alex Morgan’s seamless transition from the collegiate level to the professional scene served as a backdrop for greater things to come.
Breakthrough with the USWNT
Alex Morgan earned her first call-up to the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) in 2010.
At the age of 20, she displayed exceptional speed and composure whilst being one of the youngest players in the squad.
Morgan made her USWNT debut on March 31, 2010, in a match against Mexico, coming on as a substitute in the second half.
Her debut was a testament to her hard work and determination, as she seamlessly integrated into a team filled with seasoned veterans.
In the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Morgan announced herself as a world-class player.
Although she started the tournament as a sub, she utilized every opportunity given to her and impacted the game.
Alex Morgan’s first World Cup goal came in the semifinal against France.
This crucial strike propelled the USWNT to the final. She put the world on notice.
During the final against Japan, Alex Morgan became the first female player to score and assist in a World Cup Final.
But this was not enough. A spirited display by the Japanese team culminated in a late equalizer by Homare Sawa in extra time.
The USWNT went on to lose the penalty shootout 3-1.
Despite the upset, Alex Morgan’s breakout tournament launched her into the spotlight as she became a fan favorite.
She found massive appeal among the younger generation of football fans, especially young teenage boys. Her star shone the brightest.
Olympic Gold and World Cup Glory
Alex Morgan played a starring role for the USWNT at the 2012 London Olympics.
Morgan bagged a couple of goals and provided four assists. She also scored the dramatic extra-time winner against Canada in the semifinals, a game widely regarded as one of the greatest in women’s football history.
Fate presented Alex Morgan and the Americans with a chance at redemption when they faced the Japanese in the final.
This time, the USWNT managed to keep Japan at bay, defeating them 2-1 to secure Olympic Gold.
At the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Morgan helped lead the USWNT to its third trophy.
Despite battling a knee injury earlier in the year, she regained full fitness and form that enabled her to feature for the team.
Although registering just a single goal throughout the tournament, Morgan was able to influence play by drawing opposition defenders and creating opportunities for teammates.
The victory in the final against Japan, including Carli Lloyd’s incredible hat trick, etched her legacy in stone.
She had completed football, but she was not done just yet.
Alex Morgan achieved a more extraordinary feat during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
She scored five goals in a record-breaking 13-0 victory against Thailand, and her performance became the talk of social media.
The USWNT defeated the Netherlands in the final, clinching back-to-back World Cup titles.
Alex Morgan was now a 2-time World Cup winner and Olympic Gold medalist.
Global Fame and Off-the-Field Influence
Alex Morgan’s influence transcends the pitch. Her strategic endorsements, media presence, and activism make her one of the global superstars of women’s football.
Capitalizing on her success in football, she collaborated with global brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, and McDonald’s, becoming one of the most marketable sports personalities in the world.
She was a household name, and her immense contribution to the women’s game drew male and female fans alike.
I can say that Alex Morgan was the first global superstar in women’s football.
She appeared on magazine covers, wrote a children’s book series, and even appeared as a cast member in a feature film.
Alex Morgan also appeared on the cover of FIFA 16 with other stars like Messi.
As a strong advocate for gender equality, Morgan leverages her platform and status to emphasize the disparities in pay and environment between male and female athletes.
Along with Megan Rapinoe and other teammates, Alex Morgan became one of the leading voices in the USWNT’s fight for equal pay, filing a monumental lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation in 2019.
“We need to continue to break barriers, not just for ourselves but for the next generation”, Morgan said while advocating for gender equality and pay equity in sports.
Her presence and passion make her a symbol of feminism in football.
Challenges and Comebacks
Alex Morgan has faced numerous challenges throughout her career.
Several injuries, including a torn ACL in her teenage years and various muscle strains during her professional career, tested her physical and mental strength.
On every occasion, she underwent rigorous rehabilitation and returned stronger.
In 2019, Morgan battled with a knee injury while preparing for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and still delivered commendable performances.
Motherhood presented a new and unique challenge in Morgan’s journey.
In May 2020, she gave birth to her daughter Charlie, just months before the commencement of the delayed Tokyo Olympics.
Morgan embraced the role of being both an elite professional athlete and a mother, a balance that required exceptional discipline and determination.
In an interview, while discussing the demands of playing at the highest level, she stated, “I don’t run away from pressure. I run toward it because pressure is a privilege.”
She began training shortly after the birth of her daughter.
Alex Morgan has also expressed her views on the challenges of being a working mother in sports and campaigned for better support systems for parent-athletes.
Comparison to Other Football Icons
Alex Morgan’s career stands on par with the achievements and influence of both male and female legends.
Her consistent performance in top tournaments, spanning several domestic events, multiple World Cup campaigns, and the Olympic Games, put her among the legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Marta.
Aside from her accomplishments on the pitch, she has also influenced modern sports culture in an admirable and ground-breaking fashion.
While male stars often dominate the global audience, Morgan made strides as a female athlete who surpassed traditional boundaries.
Her overall contribution to women’s football, especially her work on policies and systematics, makes the game an essential part of contemporary sports discourse.
Morgan’s career epitomizes a broader paradigm shift, which displays the change in terms of respect and recognition for female athletes, similar to their male counterparts.
She said while speaking on her journey, “Dream big because dreams do happen” – an essential message to young and aspiring athletes.
Her legacy is more than just goals, assists, and trophies; it is also about changing perceptions, advocating equality, and restructuring the future of sports.
Current and Future Endeavors
Alex Morgan continues to make an impact in football while growing her status through business enterprises and entrepreneurial projects.
She co-founded TOGETHXR, a sports brand and media platform aimed at empowering women in sports and culture.
Her business pursuits align with her advocacy, ensuring that her impact extends far beyond her playing career.
She also invests in projects and schemes that empower women’s voices, giving them the needed platforms and environment to thrive in their various fields.
Speculation about Morgan’s long-term impact hints at her stay as a key figure in the growth of football.
As a future ambassador for football, she will likely continue driving growth and inclusivity in the sport globally.
Who wrote this?
Bienuoma Agaga-Akpati is a software engineer, writer, eSports player, and sports enthusiast, presently working with a group of ambitious Africans to transform the writing industry. With good knowledge of various sports and eSports, coupled with his keen ability for research, he loves analyzing ideas and topics that fosters the growth of the sport and eSports scenes. In his spare time, he enjoys creating content and engaging in discussions across various platforms.
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