Not every fairytale ends with fireworks, they say, and Alex Morgan would relate to that not once, but twice. After announcing her retirement last year, the San Diego Wave decided to hold a farewell NWSL game for her, where she was supposed to play just 13 minutes. But that night ended in despair, as not only did the Wave lose 0–4 at home, but within just a few minutes of play, Morgan even missed a penalty.

Fast forward to today, the ex-forward was set to receive a farewell on behalf of the USWNT as well. This time, she didn’t lace up her boots, but instead took part in a simple retirement ceremony held just before the team’s friendly against Portugal at Subaru Park in Chester on Thursday, October 23. And guess how that game turned out for the American ladies? Well, how does a shocking 1–2 defeat sound?

There’s certainly no reason to point fingers at Alex Morgan or label her a dark omen. The truth is, what happened was simply destined to be, written in the stars, as they say. Still, this defeat to Portugal is bound to raise a few eyebrows. For starters, Rose Lavelle struck just 33 seconds into the match, netting the only goal for the U.S. and recording the seventh-fastest strike, also marking the 18th first-minute goal in USWNT history.

While this was enough to showcase that the hosts were only starting to showcase their emphatic display, it went far beyond their imagination as Portugal wasn’t in the mood to let Emma Hayes and Co. have their moment. In the 41st minute, they hit back through a corner, with Diana Gomes’ header finding the back of the net to level the score. As the two sides entered the second half in a bid to take the lead, the fight kept going on until 10 minutes after the clock struck the hour mark.

Portugal took the lead in the 71st minute with their second goal of the match, again stemming from a corner. Francisca Nazareth delivered a sharp ball into the box, and midfielder Fátima Pinto’s right-footed effort from near the penalty spot deflected off a defender, giving no chance whatsoever to Phallon Tullis-Joyce for saving it.

In the end, the final whistle blew with the away team securing the win in its first battle against the 4x World Champions. Quite surprising, to be fair, considering the USA was much more dominant, having recorded 16 shots compared to Portugal’s 7, but managed only five on target, while Portugal had four, courtesy of their two corner kicks.

Even in terms of expected goals, the U.S. led 1.63 to Portugal’s 0.85. Yet, the unfortunate transpired for the American youngsters, as the only silver lining from this game is what happened before the kick-off for Alex Morgan!

At least Alex Morgan got her deserved send-off

Sure, not with a win, but it’s the gesture that truly counts. Alex Morgan was celebrated in a pregame ceremony at the very venue where she netted her first of many international goals back in 2010. The rest, as they say, is history. Over 244 appearances, she went on to score 123 goals — the fifth most in program history — and register 53 assists. Along the way, she also captured two World Cup titles and an Olympic gold medal.

So it was only natural for not just a crowd of precisely 17,297 fans to show up to honor her remarkable journey, but also her former teammates, Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe, Ali Krieger, and Kelley O’Hara, were also present to celebrate Morgan’s farewell. In fact, forward Trinity Rodman went beyond others; sidelined from camp with a sprained MCL, she also showed up on the sidelines to support AM13.

The ceremony featured U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone and federation CEO JT Batson presenting Morgan and her family with a bouquet and a framed No. 224 jersey.

As for the result, it’s nothing but lessons learned. With Portugal earning their first-ever win over the U.S. in 12 meetings, and scoring their first goals against them, the only redemption Emma Hayes and Co. can seek now comes on October 26 in Hartford, Connecticut, at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. This time, it’ll be about bouncing back for Alex Morgan, while also paying tribute to another retiring legend: former USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.