In a heartfelt return to her beginnings, Alex Morgan has officially become a part of the investor group for the San Diego Wave— a team that holds a special place in her heart from her previous stint before stepping away from professional soccer.
On Tuesday, the Wave announced with great pride that the two-time Women’s World Cup champion is rejoining the club, this time as a minority owner.
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“San Diego is my sanctuary. It’s where my family is flourishing, and I’ve found new purpose outside of playing,” Morgan shared in an emotional statement. “I believed in Wave FC from the moment we prepared for our first match, and I am confident this Club has the potential to transform the landscape of women’s sports.”
Last September, Morgan made the poignant decision to step away from soccer, coinciding with the anticipation of welcoming her son, Enzo, who arrived in the world just last month. An audience of 26,516 fans gathered at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium to pay tribute during her farewell match.
Morgan was among the first players to join the Wave when they debuted in the NWSL in 2021. In her time with the team, she participated in 63 matches, scoring 28 goals, which included the very first goal in the franchise’s history.
Over the course of her remarkable career, Morgan also played in 150 NWSL matches, featuring prominently with teams like the Portland Thorns and Orlando Pride.
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Her achievements extend far beyond club soccer; she was part of the U.S. team that won World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, and also clinched Olympic gold in 2012. Throughout her national team career, Morgan has made 224 appearances, scored 123 goals—ranking her fifth on the all-time list—and provided 53 assists. She has been recognized as U.S. Soccer Player of the Year in both 2012 and 2018.
Off the pitch, Morgan has emerged as a fierce advocate for women’s soccer, actively campaigning for equal pay within the sport. The U.S. women’s national team filed a pivotal lawsuit in 2019, leading to a landmark agreement in 2022 that secured pay equity with their male counterparts.
Additionally, she has pushed for reforms within the NWSL, calling for the establishment of anti-harassment policies in response to a major coaching misconduct scandal that rocked the league in 2021.
“Alex has always aimed to make a positive impact in the game that goes beyond the field,” said Lauren Leichtman, controlling owner of the Wave. “She has utilized her platform to lead, advocate, and build a meaningful legacy in San Diego. Her investment decision is a testament to her ongoing leadership and belief in the vision we’re striving to achieve together.”
Outside of soccer, Morgan enjoys a fulfilling life with her husband, Servando Carrasco, and their two lovely children—a daughter, Charlie, born in 2020, and their newborn son, Enzo.
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