Alexandra Morgan Carrasco, born on July 2, 1989, is a standout American professional soccer talent, renowned for her role as a dynamic striker. Currently leading the charge as captain for San Diego Wave FC in the prestigious National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the pinnacle of women’s professional soccer in the United States, she is also a linchpin for the United States women’s national soccer team.
Noteworthy is her tenure as co-captain alongside Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe for the United States women’s national soccer team from 2018 to 2020. Alexandra Morgan Carrasco stands as a symbol of excellence in the world of soccer, showcasing her prowess both at the club level and on the international stage.
Born in the Los Angeles County suburb of San Dimas, California, Alexandra Morgan is the daughter of Pamela and Michael Morgan. Raised alongside her two older sisters, Jeni and Jeri, in the nearby suburb of Diamond Bar, she embraced a diverse athletic upbringing. Her early involvement in soccer began with AYSO, where her father served as one of her initial coaches.
While Alexandra’s soccer journey started early, it wasn’t until the age of 14 that she ventured into club soccer with Cypress Elite. Joining this club proved to be a pivotal decision, leading her to victory in the Coast Soccer League (CSL) under-16 championship. Additionally, she demonstrated her skills by securing a commendable third-place finish at the under-19 level. Alexandra Morgan’s early achievements reflect her passion and commitment to soccer, making her a notable figure in the sport.
At Diamond Bar High School, Morgan showcased her athletic prowess, securing the title of a three-time all-league pick and earning All-American honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Recognized for her impressive speed and sprinting abilities, she became a notable presence in the school’s soccer landscape.
Beyond high school, Morgan actively participated in the Olympic Development Program (ODP), representing both regional and state teams. Reflecting on her soccer journey, she emphasized the pivotal role of programs like ODP in her development. According to Morgan, these programs played a crucial part in her late entry into the club scene, providing invaluable opportunities to play with top-tier players and learn from accomplished coaches. This diverse experience significantly contributed to her growth as a soccer player.
Morgan and soccer player Servando Carrasco exchanged vows on New Year’s Eve in 2014 after meeting at UC Berkeley, where they both played soccer. The couple shared the exciting news of expecting their baby girl, Charlie Elena Carrasco, born on May 7, 2020.
Despite the diminishing use of the nickname “Baby Horse,” affectionately given by her U.S. women’s national teammates for her exceptional speed and running style, Morgan’s contributions were recognized with the key to the city of her hometown, Diamond Bar, on January 24, 2016.
Read Also:
Western New York Flash (2011) was a significant chapter in the soccer history:
On January 14, 2011, Alex Morgan made history as the top overall pick in the 2011 WPS Draft, chosen by the Western New York Flash. This marked a significant milestone as she became the first player from Cal to be drafted in the first round of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS). Alex showcased her talent by scoring her inaugural goal for the Flash during the team’s home opener, contributing to a 3–0 victory over the Atlanta Beat on May 1, 2011. Throughout the 2011 season, she played in 14 matches and scored four goals. The club had a remarkable year, clinching both the regular season title and the WPS Championship.
In 2012, following the suspension of WPS operations, Alex Morgan joined Seattle Sounders Women alongside national teammates for the season. Despite limited appearances due to national team commitments, she scored two goals and provided two assists in 253 minutes. The Sounders Women, benefiting from national team presence, sold out nine of ten home matches at Starfire Stadium, with average attendance four times higher than rival teams.
In 2013, Alex Morgan joined Portland Thorns FC for the inaugural NWSL season, making a stellar impact by finishing as the team’s point and joint-scoring leader. The Thorns secured the league’s inaugural championship title in August 2013. Returning for the 2014 season, Morgan scored six goals, but the team was eliminated in the playoffs. In 2015, due to World Cup commitments, Morgan made limited appearances, scoring one goal. The Thorns finished sixth in the regular season.
On October 26, 2015, it was announced that the Thorns traded Alex Morgan and teammate Kaylyn Kyle to the Orlando Pride, an expansion team. In return, the Thorns secured the Pride’s top picks in the 2015 NWSL Expansion Draft and 2016 NWSL College Draft, along with an international roster spot for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. During her tenure with the Pride, Morgan made 15 appearances and scored four goals. However, the club finished in ninth place during the regular season with a 6–13–1 record under the guidance of head coach Tom Sermanni.
On January 5, 2017, Alex Morgan signed a six-month contract with Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) for $33,000 per month, with a mutual option for an additional season. In her debut season, she made significant contributions, recording two assists in her Division 1 Féminine debut and scoring five goals in eight regular-season appearances. Morgan’s hat-trick in the French Cup quarterfinals led Lyon to a 6–0 victory, and she played a crucial role in Lyon winning the French Cup and the UEFA Women’s Champions League, despite being subbed off in the final due to a hamstring injury.
After the Champions League Final, the Orlando Pride added Alex Morgan to their 2017 roster, and she returned to competitive play on July 1, scoring nine goals in fourteen games that season. Despite an option to stay with Lyon in 2018, Morgan chose to return to Orlando. The 2018 season saw the Pride finish seventh with a record of 8–10–6, with Morgan contributing five goals in nineteen games. Most of the 2019 season had Morgan on international duty, and she ended the year injured after six games with Orlando. In October 2019, she announced her pregnancy and gave birth in May 2020. Missing the NWSL Challenge Cup due to the pandemic, Morgan returned to training in September 2020 for the Fall Series.
Read Also: https://theboiworld.com/arsenal-10m-transfer-salary-market-value-peaks-2022/
Alex Morgan overcame an ACL injury in 2007 to join the U.S. under-20 women’s soccer team in April 2008. Debuting at the 2008 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship, she scored her first international goal against Cuba. In the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, Morgan’s four goals, including a match-winner in the final, led the U.S. to victory, earning her the Bronze Shoe and the Silver Ball. Transitioning to the senior team in March 2010, Morgan secured her first international goal against China in October 2010. In a crucial playoff against Italy, she came off the bench in the 86th minute to score the match-winner, earning the U.S. a 1–0 victory and a spot in the Women’s World Cup.
Morgan, the youngest on the U.S. national team, played a crucial role in their 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup journey. On July 13, 2011, she scored her first World Cup goal in the semi-final against France, contributing to a 3–1 victory. In the final against Japan, Morgan, coming on as a substitute, scored the opening goal (69′) and assisted on Abby Wambach’s header (104′) in extra time, making her the first player to achieve both in a World Cup final. Despite her standout performance, she finished eighth in the 2011 FIFA World Player of the Year balloting.
Morgan became a regular starter for the U.S. after a stellar performance in the January 2012 CONCACAF Olympic qualifying final, scoring twice and providing two assists in a 4–0 win over Canada. From January to late May 2012, she scored 14 goals in 12 matches, earning her first career hat-trick in March. Recognizing her achievements, Morgan received an ESPY Award nomination for Best Breakthrough Athlete in June 2012. In the 2012 London Olympics, she played a crucial role, scoring both the equalizer and the winning goal against France in the group play opener and contributing vital assists in the subsequent matches.
Upon her return to international play, Morgan scored in a 1–0 friendly win against England in February. She played a crucial role in the USWNT’s tenth Algarve Cup victory in 2015, contributing to the 3–0 defeat of Switzerland. Despite recovering from a knee injury sustained in April during the NWSL season against the Boston Breakers, Morgan made a significant impact at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She scored the opening goal in the 2–0 last 16 win over Colombia and won penalties in the victories against Colombia in the last 16 and Germany in the semi-finals. Morgan started in the World Cup final, helping the USWNT secure a 5–2 win over Japan and claim their third FIFA Women’s World Cup.
In March 2016, Morgan excelled in the SheBelieves Cup, winning the Golden Boot and MVP award as the USWNT triumphed with victories against France and Germany. Celebrating her 100th cap in January, she scored a goal and an assist in a 5–0 win against the Republic of Ireland. Morgan made history in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers with the fastest goal in the tournament and USWNT history, helping secure a hat-trick and qualification for the Rio Olympics. Despite her efforts, the U.S. was eliminated in the quarter-finals, with Morgan scoring the equalizer but missing a crucial penalty in the shootout. Her 2016 goal-scoring campaign concluded with a brace in an 8–1 victory over Romania on November 10.
Morgan, absent from the 2020 tournaments due to pregnancy, made a strong comeback on November 27, 2020, playing for the U.S. against the Netherlands after 509 days. She featured in the 2021 SheBelieves Cup and the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, winning a bronze medal on August 5. Morgan scored in the group stage against New Zealand and converted a penalty in the quarter-final shootout against the Netherlands. On September 21, 2021, she scored her sixth international hat-trick in a friendly against Paraguay in Cincinnati.
In 2023, Morgan participated in her fourth World Cup. She played as a starter in all three group-stage games and the Round of 16 match against Sweden. Unfortunately, the U.S. faced defeat in a penalty shootout, marking the first instance of the team being eliminated before the quarterfinals.
San Diego Wave
United States
Individual
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Silver Ball: 2008
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Bronze Boot: 2008
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup All-Star Team: 2008
ESPY Award Best Female Athlete: 2019
ESPY Award Best Breakthrough Athlete nominee: 2012
ESPY Award Best Moment nominee: 2013
ESPY Award Best Team: 2015, 2019
Women’s Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year, Team Sport: 2012
U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year: 2012, 2018
FIFA World Player of the Year finalist: 2012
The Best FIFA Women’s Player: 2019 (finalist), 2022 (finalist)
NWSL Second Best XI: 2013, 2017
CONCACAF Player of the Year: 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018
USWNT All-Time Best XI: 2013
SheBelieves Cup Golden Boot and Golden Ball: 2016
FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11: 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022
CONCACAF Women’s Championship Golden Boot: 2018
IFFHS Women’s World Team: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022
IFFHS World’s Woman Team of the Decade 2011–2020
IFFHS CONCACAF Woman Team of the Decade 2011–2020
FIFA Women’s World Cup Silver Boot: 2019
CONCACAF Women’s Championship Golden Ball: 2022
CONCACAF Women’s Championship Best XI: 2022
NWSL Golden Boot: 2022
NWSL Best XI: 2022
Alex Morgan boasts a net worth of around $3 million. As a prominent member of the USWNT at San Diego Wave FC, she earns a salary of $250,000. Notably, in 2015, Alex Morgan, along with her teammates Christine Sinclair and Steph Catley, etched their names in history as the first female players to feature in a FIFA video game.
Written By: Shalik Khan
"Wishing You a Joyful Birthday Filled with Love, Admiration, and Warm Memories!" Early Life &…
"Wishing you a day filled with joy and love as we honor your wonderful life.…
"Celebrating You: Happy Birthday to Someone Truly Special!" Early Life Carson Smith was born on…
"Wishing you a joyous birthday filled with love and happiness. Your presence is missed in…
"Happy Birthday to the man who defined action with heart! Your legacy shines, and the…
"Happy Birthday to a shining star! May your day be filled with love, joy, and…