Get to Know USWNT's Alex Morgan, the Soccer Icon Playing in Her 4th World Cup

Normally, 13 might not seem like a lucky number, but wearing it on the back of her jersey has made Alex Morgan a household name in women's professional soccer. Morgan, a 34-year-old forward, has appeared in three World Cups prior to this year's tournament and is a three-time Olympian (she was on the gold-medal-winning team in 2012 and the bronze-medal-winning team in 2021). She has scored more than 121 goals in her time on the US Women's National Team (USWNT) and ranks in the top 10 in USWNT history in goals, assists, and multi-goal games, according to US Soccer.

Morgan currently plays professionally in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) for the San Diego Wave and previously played for the Orlando Pride. She made her World Cup debut in 2011 as the youngest member on the roster at age 22 and is best known for scoring the winning goal in the 2012 Olympic semifinal match against Canada, which led the US team to that gold medal title.

Off the field, Morgan has also been part of the USWNT's impassioned fight for equal pay, which resulted in a historic equal-pay agreement with the US Soccer Federation and recently earned them an ESPY Award.

Morgan has become such an icon that there's an 825-pound statue of her posing like the Statue of Liberty touring the US in honor of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

In an interview for US Soccer ahead of the World Cup, Morgan was asked her favorite part about being a professional soccer player. She said: "Well, it's getting to do what you love every single day, that's very rare, I think, pretty rare in today's world. Getting to be outside every day. Getting to inspire people around the world." Morgan recently launched the sports media platform Togethxr and her own foundation, and she hopes to use her impact to fight for equality and diversity in sports in the same way she fought for equal pay with the USWNT. "I would like to be remembered for carving a path for the next generation of young girls, for being a good reflection of the community that I live in," she told US Soccer.

Read further details about Morgan's story on her website, and ahead, check out more fun facts about her.

— Additional reporting by Lauren Mazzo

How Old Is Alex Morgan?

Morgan is 34 years old, and her birthday is on July 2. She's one of the oldest on the USWNT 2023 World Cup roster. Only Kelley O'Hara (34), Alyssa Naeher (35), and Megan Rapinoe (38) are the same age or older than she is.

What Position Does Alex Morgan Play?
Getty | TF-Images

What Position Does Alex Morgan Play?

Morgan plays the forward position, aka striker.

Is Alex Morgan Married?

Morgan got married in December 2014, and her husband is former professional soccer player Servando Carrasco.

Does Alex Morgan Have Kids?

Morgan gave birth to her daughter, Charlie, now 3 years old, on May 7, 2020.

Shortly after, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were postponed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This worked out well for Morgan, giving her extra time to recover postpartum before returning to the field. "It was actually a weight off my shoulders that I didn't realize was there," Morgan told POPSUGAR in November 2020. "I knew at that point, I can just let Charlie come whenever she was ready."

Where Did Alex Morgan Go to College?

Morgan went to the University of California at Berkeley, where she was named the third all-time scorer in school history. She graduated in 2010 with a degree in political economy.

Is Alex Morgan Right- or Left-Footed?
Getty | Alex Grimm

Is Alex Morgan Right- or Left-Footed?

According to her FIFA facts page, Morgan prefers to shoot with her left foot.

Has Alex Morgan Been in Sports Illustrated?

Yes, three times, in fact. In 2019, Morgan made her third appearance in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue, when she appeared on one of the covers.

Is Alex Morgan a USWNT Captain?

Morgan is one of the two current co-captains on the USWNT, according to US Soccer, along with teammate Lindsey Horan. Morgan had captained the team 22 other times (!) before the 2023 World Cup.

Fun Fact: Alex Morgan Was Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2019
Getty | Variety / Contributor

Fun Fact: Alex Morgan Was Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2019

When Morgan was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in 2019, soccer legend Mia Hamm penned the article about her, writing: "I feel great about the future of our sport because Alex is leading the way . . . As the mother of 12-year-old twin daughters, I fully understand the impact that Alex makes on this next generation of young girls. Her commitment to set such a positive example for them is unmatched, and I am incredibly grateful that the future of our game is in such good hands."

Why Does Alex Morgan Wear a Pink Headband?

Morgan started wearing pink prewrap in her hair during her sophomore year at UC Berkeley to support Servando's mother, who was battling breast cancer at the time. Read more about why she always wears a pink headband here.

Fun Fact: Alex Morgan Authored a Book Series, The Kicks, Which Became a Show on Amazon Video

"The Kicks" is a middle-grade book series about soccer and friendship. You can watch the 10-episode television adaptation on Prime Video.

Does Alex Morgan Have Siblings?

Morgan is the youngest of three girls. Her sisters are named Jeni and Jeri.

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Fun Fact: Alex Starred in a 2018 Movie, "Alex & Me"

You can stream the movie on Prime Video.

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Watch Alex Morgan's Winning Semifinal Goal at the 2012 Olympics

One of Morgan's most famous moments on the field was her game-winning goal during the US's semifinal match against Canada at the 2012 Olympics. Her goal helped the team take home the gold medal.