Biography of Alex Morgan: Inside the Extraordinary Life of Alex Morgan
Alex Morgan is an American soccer player and Olympic gold medalist. She first rose to prominence at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where she helped the U.S. women’s national team finish second.
Since then, Morgan has been an instrumental part of the USWNT, winning championships and medals at the Olympics, World Cup, and other major tournaments.
Off the field, Alex Morgan has built herself into one of the most marketable female athletes in the world. She has garnered numerous endorsement deals and sponsorships from major brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, Panasonic, and more.
Her charisma, skills, and success on the field have inspired young girls everywhere to play and love soccer.
Below is an in-depth look at Alex Morgan’s life and journey to becoming a soccer superstar.
Early Life and Youth Career
Alex Morgan was born on July 2, 1989 in San Dimas, California. She grew up with her parents Pamela and Michael Morgan, along with her two older sisters.
From an early age, Morgan excelled in many sports, including track & field, cross country, volleyball, and soccer. She started playing youth soccer at age 5 and continued developing her skills on club teams as she grew up.
Some key moments in Morgan’s early soccer career include:
- At age 14, she was called into the U-16 United States women’s national soccer team and traveled to tournaments in France and the Netherlands.
- In high school, she was a 4-time all-league pick and scored 109 goals over her junior and senior seasons.
- She attended the University of California Berkeley from 2007-2010 where she broke school records for most goals and points in a season.
- In 2008, she was called up to the U-20 USWNT and helped lead them to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title.
Morgan’s precocious ability was evident from a young age. Her blend of speed, skill, and scoring instincts made her a standout on every team she played for.
Breakthrough at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup
After being drafted 1st overall in the 2011 WPS draft, Alex Morgan was called up to the senior USWNT for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany. Though she was the youngest player on the roster, Morgan quickly proved she belonged on the biggest stage:
- She scored her first international goal in a heated semifinal match against France. Her late-game header forced extra time and helped the U.S. advance.
- In the final against Japan, Morgan came on as a substitute and once again levelled the score late in regulation time. Her goal made it 2-2 before Japan prevailed 3-2 in penalty kicks.
- With two clutch goals on soccer’s biggest stage, the 22-year old Morgan became a fan favorite over the course of the tournament.
Despite losing the final, the 2011 World Cup marked Morgan’s international breakthrough. She cemented herself as an impact player for the USWNT going forward.
Continued Success and Championships with the USWNT
Following her breakout performance in 2011, Alex Morgan has been a staple of the U.S. women’s national team. Her combination of speed, athleticism, and high soccer IQ make her a dangerous forward no matter who the opponent is.
Here are some of the many highlights of Morgan’s career with the USWNT since 2011:
- She scored 28 goals in 2012, setting a new single-year record for an American female player. This included the game-winner in the gold medal match against Japan at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
- In 2015, she helped lead the U.S. to victory at the FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Vancouver. Though she battled knee injuries earlier in the year, Morgan returned to full strength for the World Cup and played a key role.
- At the 2019 World Cup in France, Morgan scored 5 goals in the team’s opening match against Thailand. She finished the tournament tied as the top goal scorer with 6 total goals.
- Morgan is now a 2-time World Cup champion with the USWNT and a 1-time Olympic gold medalist. She has 115 international goals, ranking her 4th all-time amongst American women.
On and off the field, Morgan has been an ambassador for U.S. women’s soccer over the past decade. Her success has helped drive the sport’s rapidly growing popularity.
Alex Morgan’s Sponsorships and Business Endeavors
As her achievements accumulated on the field, Alex Morgan’s profile as a spokesperson and role model grew rapidly off the field. Her unique combination of talent, charisma, and wholesome likeability has made her one of the most marketable female athletes ever.
Morgan has signed lucrative sponsorship deals with brands including:
- Nike – her first major deal which has been renewed multiple times
- McDonald’s
- Chobani yogurt
- Panasonic
- Coca-Cola
- AT&T
- Mondelez candy brands
She has also been featured prominently in advertisements, media campaigns, and promotional content for these brands.
In addition, Morgan has pursued business ventures outside of soccer, including:
- Authoring a series of kids’ books called The Kicks
- Launching her own clothing line called AM13
- Co-founding a media and commerce company focused on women’s sports fans
Forbes estimated that Morgan earned $5.5 million in total earnings in 2021 alone. Her growing business empire along with over 10 years of endorsement income have likely made her a multimillionaire.
While she continues chasing more championships on the field, Alex Morgan has proven to be just as dominant in the business and marketing world off the field.
Alex Morgan’s Personal Life
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Alex Morgan leads a fulfilling personal life as well. She has been married to MLS soccer player Servando Carrasco since 2014. In May 2020, she gave birth to her first child – a daughter named Charlie Elena Carrasco.
Morgan has stated that balancing her family life with her soccer career and business interests presents challenges, but that she has a strong support system around her. She remains deeply connected with her immediate and extended family.
In terms of broader interests, Morgan is an avid sports fan beyond just soccer. Some of her favorite teams include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Las Vegas Raiders. She has pets including dogs Blue and Bruce and a cat named Kona.
While fiercely competitive on the field, Morgan is widely regarded as a kind, humble, and generous person off it. She has used her platform not just to build her personal brand, but also advocate for causes like women’s empowerment, pay equality, and equal treatment for female athletes.
Conclusion and Alex Morgan’s Legacy
In summary, Alex Morgan’s career embodies the rise of women’s soccer into the mainstream. Her superstar-level talents, charisma, and accolades have made her not just the face of U.S. women’s soccer, but women’s sports at large.
Still only 33 years old, Morgan’s playing days are likely not over yet. She remains hungry for more World Cup and Olympic championships with the USWNT. When she does eventually retire, her on-field legacy is set in stone as one of the most decorated American soccer players ever.
Off the field, Morgan’s business ventures have only scratched the surface of her potential. With over a decade left in her prime earning years, she is on a path to build a media and commerce empire valued in the hundreds of millions.
Regardless of what trophies or deals still await, Alex Morgan has already cemented herself as a trailblazing icon. Her impact has been felt by young girls picking up a soccer ball as well as corporate partners re-thinking female athlete endorsements. Thanks to Morgan’s shoulders, women’s sports continues to rise to new heights each year.
Alex Morgan’s superstardom has brought tangible progress in women’s sports. But perhaps more importantly, she serves as an inspiration and role model to all women to work hard, dream big, and fight for equality.
Frequently Asked Questions about Alex Morgan’s Life and Career
Here are answers to some common questions people have about soccer superstar Alex Morgan:
What awards has Alex Morgan won in her career?
Some of the highlights of the awards and honors Morgan has won include 1 Olympic gold medal (2012), 2 FIFA Women’s World Cup titles (2015, 2019), CONCACAF Player of the Year in 2018, U.S.
Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2018, and ESPY for Best Female Athlete in 2019.
How much money does Alex Morgan make?
Forbes estimated Morgan’s total earnings in 2021 at $5.5 million. This includes her playing salary and bonuses with the USWNT as well as endorsement income.
She has had lucrative deals with brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and more.