Alex Morgan: Wave Retires 13, Honoring Women’s Soccer Legend

In Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, last Sunday, the stands and hallways were filled with jerseys bearing Alex Morgan’s iconic number 13. Fans sported the star’s number in all its versions, from the colors of the US national team to those of the San Diego Wave. However, number 13 that everyone expected to see that day was not worn by anyone, and never again will a Wave player wear it. The team retired Morgan’s number after Sunday’s match, and presented her with a framed jersey after the 3-0 defeat to the Houston Dash.

I’m going to try to stay whole. Thank you for so many moments in my career. Three years may seem like a short time, but honestly, these three years have been the most transformative. From building the club from scratch, to reaching the playoffs, winning the Shield in the second season and winning the Challenge Cup in the third season and breaking the NWSL attendance record.

Alex Morgan

Morgan, visibly excited, thanked the fans and highlighted the importance of sport in uniting people. In addition, she dedicated a few words to the young promises, remembering that for her, as a child, playing football was not a possibility, and now it is. Around 100 family members and friends of Morgan, including former teammates like Tobin Heath, were present at the ceremony.

Seeing that my time here in San Diego, and that it has had such an impact as to retire the number 13, there was a lot of sweat, tears and ups and downs in that jersey with the number 13. Being able to see it now in the heights and see it with my family, that my daughter and my son know that I was part of this team, the beginning, and that it is recorded in history forever, will be a great story for them too.

Alex Morgan

The ceremony included the presentation of pink ribbons to the fans, an iconic element of Morgan’s image, and a giant structure with the number 13 adorned with messages from the supporters. The messages came from all over, from children to mothers inspired by Morgan, who continued playing after giving birth to her first child in 2020. Morgan retired last year after almost 15 years of career, and simultaneously announced that she was pregnant with her second child. In May, he acquired an ownership stake in the Wave. Morgan, a two-time world champion and Olympic champion, scored 123 goals at the international level, the fifth-highest number in USWNT history. During his career, Morgan played for seven professional clubs on two different continents, as well as several semi-professional teams. He won championships in two different professional leagues in the United States, as well as the UEFA Champions League.