The upcoming USWNT vs. Portugal October window opener is a must-watch for obvious reasons. Beyond the fact that the American ladies are returning to action for the first time since July, this match will see the iconic forward Alex Morgan honored in a pregame ceremony at Subaru Park in Chester, the very place where she scored her first of many international goals. With just hours left before kickoff, it’s only natural that Morgan shared some touching reflections on the emotional decision she made around this very time last year to step away from the game.

Honestly, AM13’s retirement call felt both expected and unexpected. While her pregnancy and a few other factors played a role in her decision to hang up her boots, she still had some more time to play. That eventually built skepticism about how supporters would react to her deeply personal and emotional announcement video. After all, she remains a high-profile player.

“It was weird because I felt that’s how I wanted to tell everyone. It was a super emotional moment, but I was really scared for the reaction,” began the former San Diego Wave star on the Sam Mewis-hosted The Women’s Game podcast. But to her surprise, the response went far beyond what she had imagined. “Once I actually pressed send to put on Instagram, I was surprised [by] how many people just reached out and said really nice things.”

At that time, Alex Morgan had just dropped Charlie off at preschool. The moment she pulled over to check the reactions on her phone, tears began to flow. The overwhelming love and support were far beyond what she had expected, especially after everything she had been through in recent years. From the equal pay lawsuit to the disappointment of the 2023 World Cup, Morgan herself admitted that last year was in itself no less than the “rockiest year” of her entire career.

Yep, that comes from a very name who made over 224 appearances for the US women’s national team, while also notching 123 goals, 53 assists, two World Cups, and of course, countless moments and unforgettable memories. Hence, witnessing such a response felt deeply different, a genuine acknowledgment of her entire journey, at least.

Alex Morgan could have gone for a few more years, but…

Yep, that’s the bitter truth that we bet every ardent fan surely lives by to this day. Granted, her retirement announcement also came with the exciting news about her growing family. The only argument one might have made was that Morgan could simply take a long maternity break and then return. But even practically, that seemed far-fetched, though deep down, Morgan knew she still had it in her to push for more down the road.

“I don’t feel like I retired because I couldn’t play anymore like that,” she continued on the same podcast. “I feel like there are a lot of people who either just can’t get a team anymore or retire due to injury. And I didn’t feel like I felt lucky to be in a position where I chose the time based on what was right for me and my family,” concluded the 36-year-old.

As she once explained to USA Today, things had become “mentally draining” for her, as balancing motherhood with her daughter, Charlie, alongside her USWNT and domestic commitments had taken a real toll on her body. And with her second child on the way, a phase that would demand even more of her time and energy, it was only natural for Morgan to shift her focus away from soccer and toward her family.

And even though she eventually bid farewell to the game, Morgan had already planned her post-retirement life well in advance, stepping into significant new ventures. So, there’s nothing left to say but — cheers to an incredible career, Alex Morgan!