Alex Morgan Talks Retirement, the NWSL, and Places to Play

Alex Morgan didn’t just play during women’s soccer’s rise … she helped make it happen.

Raised in Diamond Bar, California, she tried many sports before settling on soccer. Morgan first appeared on the global stage in the 2011 World Cup as the youngest player on the US roster. A year later, at 23, she won Olympic gold in London, kicking off a career that would include two World Cup titles and two Olympic medals. (Who can forget her viral tea-sipping celebration from the 2019 championship?)

The stats are only part of her story. As captain of the San Diego Wave and one of the sport’s most visible leaders, she fought for equal pay, better working conditions, and real protections for players navigating pregnancy and parenthood while still competing. 

Off the field, Morgan became something else entirely: a cultural phenomenon. She wrote a best-selling middle-grade book series, made her film debut, cofounded Togethxr, and built a nearly 10-million-strong Instagram following along the way.

Now retired and a mom of two young kids, Morgan is entering her next chapter. And if her first act taught us anything, it’s that she rarely does things halfway. Recently, theSkimm chatted with her about life after retirement, the 2026 NWSL season, and her partnership with CVS Pharmacy to create safe fields and play spaces.

You've teamed up with CVS Health to unveil DC’s Garfield Park Bridge Spot as a multiuse field. Is there a field you remember from your early playing days? How did it shape the athlete you became?

I spent a lot of my time at the parks in the community that I grew up in. Being able to go out whenever I wanted with my family really made all the difference. To have access to that — in a way that not all girls and boys do — really affected the trajectory of my life. Without the space to play, I imagine I would have played less or dreamed less, because I wouldn’t think it was possible. 

Do you have any advice for parents whose children are inspired by what they see at games? 

The most important thing that you have to remember when putting your children in sport is to be that support system. Emotionally supporting your child means being able to let them lean on you, being a safe space, not being too critical, [and] just giving them the opportunity to do anything and everything they want to do. 

The reason that I'm here today is because my mom and dad believed in me and wanted me to become a professional athlete because that’s what I said I wanted. At the time, when I was 7 or 10 years old, there was really no pathway [to do that]. There was no professional league. Still, they said, “I'm going to do anything in my power to make your dreams come true.” So be that parent that believes in your child and gives them the confidence that they need to take the next step. 

How do you navigate your career ambitions alongside parenthood?

I want to open all the doors that I can for my children and give them all the opportunity in the world. I also want to be with them physically all day, every day. That's just not possible. So I make sure I'm there for the important things, when they want me to be there, and when they ask me to show up. 

I also need to do things for me too. And I know that that's OK. I can show up at home and for my kids because I show up for myself. 

Women’s sports fans right now feel a little like early investors. They’ve been here for years, waiting for the world to catch up. What would you say to people who are just now tuning in? 

Welcome. If you need any help learning, we're here. We're not closed off. We're an inclusive community. And get ready, because it’s truly incredible. 

I think people who are new to women's sports are actually blown away by the quality of play. And I'm like, ‘Well, yeah, we've been here the whole time.’ 

Give us your Skimm on what fans can expect from the NWSL this season.

Teams have just gotten better and better in terms of quality and competition. That comes with more physicality — and more storylines. There [are] also a lot more moms playing in the league than ever before because of the protections that they have. 

Families, moms, young couples who attend these matches have a lot of opportunities to connect.

You've spent your career performing under pressure. What's a mindset shift or trick you rely on?

Preparation is everything. Whether that's in training or preparing for an important meeting, make sure that you feel confident in what you're going to say and what you're going to do. It’s also knowing that … when someone says no, you miss that shot, or you don't time that tackle well, it doesn't mean that you can't do something the next time. Have that mindset of being resilient and relentless … and bring that confidence and self-belief to the table every time, because there's always a new opportunity. 

Interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.