When we talk about Alex Morgan, it can be tough to capture her impact in just a few words. During her incredible career, she has relentlessly championed equal pay, played an essential role in growing the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), and inspired countless women in sports. But one aspect of her legacy often gets overlooked: her journey back to the pitch after giving birth to her daughter, Charlie, in 2020.
Alex stands on the shoulders of giants—the earlier generations of U.S. women’s national team players who bravely navigated motherhood while pursuing their athletic dreams. Yet, Morgan hasn’t just benefited from this progress; she took significant steps to strengthen protections and support for mothers in sports. Her efforts have helped secure better standards for athletes faced with the challenges of motherhood.
Reflecting on this during her retirement press conference, she shared a heartfelt memory: “One really special moment is when we had five moms on the team at once—myself, Casey [Krueger], Julie [Ertz], Crystal [Dunn], and AD [Franch]. That was a really special moment to be able to enjoy with some of my teammates, knowing how far we’ve come and the support that we now get as moms while still being professional athletes.”
Her voice echoes a transformation that has only recently begun to take shape. While there is a growing acceptance for mothers returning to elite levels of sport, that wasn’t always the case. Alex Morgan is part of a groundbreaking generation that has proven it’s entirely possible to juggle motherhood and a high-performance career. She has not just broken barriers; she’s rewritten the script for how motherhood and professional sports coexist, particularly in the NWSL.
It’s easy to underestimate just how significant this shift is in the sports world. For years, athletes faced immense pressure to choose between their careers and family. Yet Morgan’s journey is a testament to a changing landscape, one where being a mom doesn’t mean stepping back—it means bringing a new kind of strength to the game. Her journey encourages others, showing that yes, you can do both, and thrive in both spaces, proving that motherhood can coexist with extraordinary athletic prowess.
Ultimately, Alex Morgan’s legacy isn’t just about her goals on the field or the trophies she’s won, but also about the trail she blazed for future generations. Through her perseverance and advocacy, she’s brightened the path for countless young athletes who will one day have the courage to chase their dreams—both as sportswomen and as mothers.
Image Source: Jose Breton- Pics Action / Shutterstock
