USWNT News: Alex Morgan Announces Retirement, Croix Bethune Out for Season

The USWNT suffered some major losses

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Soccer

Alex Morgan’s professional soccer career is coming to an end.

The striker announced on Thursday that her last match will be on Sept 9 as she is pregnant with her second child.

“I grew up on this team, it was so much more than soccer,” said Morgan. “It was the friendships and the unwavering respect and support among each other, the relentless push for global investment in women's sports, and the pivotal moments of success both on and off the field. I am so incredibly honored to have borrowed the crest for more than 15 years. I learned so much about myself in that time and so much of that is a credit to my teammates and our fans. I feel immense pride in where this team is headed, and I will forever be a fan of the USWNT. My desire for success may have always driven me, but what I got in return was more than I could have ever asked and hoped for.”

Morgan finished her USWNT career with 123 goals, fifth all-time, and 53 career assists, which is ninth all-time in U.S. history. She scored in 86 of her 224 international appearances while making 158 starts. Morgan also captained the USA 23 times during that span.

But Morgan isn’t the only loss that the USWNT suffered. Youngster Croix Bethune will miss the remainder of the NWSL season after getting injured while throwing out the first pitch at the Washington Nationals game.

Bethune's season ends with her tallying five goals and 10 assists after being selected third overall in the 2024 NWSL College Draft. She made her USWNT debut in June when the stars and stripes faced Mexico at Red Bull Arena. Bethune has gone on to make three appearances for the USWNT.