Alex Morgan
Introduction
Keep working, even when no one is watching. -Alex Morgan
That's exactly what she did. The famous #13 player is the face of USA soccer. She may not have started as early as the others, but she had all the heart to become a star. Now Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women's World Cup champion, Alex Morgan may just be the best of the best, and that's just the start.
Early Life
Alex Morgan was born July 2nd, 1989 in San Dimas, California-the birthplace of a star. Like most teenage athletes, Alex always had something on the go. Volleyball, basketball, track and soccer were sports that became part of her daily routine. Alex started playing soccer at a young age but only joined a club team at age 14. She joined Cypress Elite where she won gold at the Coast Soccer League U16 championship and bronze at the U19 level. Alex has always been a top notch player. Because Morgan joined the world of soccer late, it was very important to play as much as she could with the best players and coaches. She did just that and more.
Young Athlete
When Alex was just 17 years old she was called up to train with the Untied States under-20 Women's National team. Due to an injury she didn't play for the team again until April 2008. From 2007 to 2010, Alex played for the California Golden Bears where she led the team in scoring during her first season. While attending UC Berkley, she was named a candidate for the Hermann Trophy and became the first California Player to be one of the top three finalists for that award. She was also one of the four finalists for the Honda Sports award, which is given to the best overall candidate in each sport. It may have seemed as if it couldn't get any better for Alex Morgan, but trust me, it does.
Club Career: 2011-2015
Western New York Flash: 2011
Seattle Sounders: 2012
Portland Thorns: 2013-2015
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Western New York Flash
When Alex was drafted by the Western New York Flash, she got to play with superstars whom she dreamed of becoming one day. In her very first game with the Flash, she scored her 1st professional goal as a soccer player, which brought her to being a 2011 WPS Champion.
Seattle Sounders
In 2012, Alex played with the Seattle Sounders alongside her national teammates Sydney Leroux, Hope Solo, Stephanie Cox and Megan Rapinoe. Alex couldn't wait to play for such an amazing team. As Morgan was preparing for the 2012 Olympics, she played 253 minutes scoring two goals and two assists for that team.
Portland Thorns
January 11th, 2013, Morgan joined the Portland Thorns FC for the inaugural season of the National Women's Soccer League. She scored her first goal with the Thorns at the team's home-opener and finished the regular season as the team's point leader. The Thorns won the Inaugural Championship title on August 31, 2013.
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At just 21 years old, Alex Morgan became the 2011 World Cup team's youngest member. Morgan had quite the impact in the World Cup, scoring her first FIFA Women's World Cup goal against France in a semi-final game. She even assisted on a goal against Japan which led them to play for a gold medal. Alex Morgan would soon be recognized as the 2012 Female Athlete of the year.
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Alex Morgan didn't become a starter for the U.S. Women's team until the fifth game of the year, which was the final of the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament. She scored 14 goals in 12 games from January to late May in 2012. She also earned her first career hat-trick in those 12 games on March 7th, 2012. Morgan was also nominated for an ESPY Award as Best Breakthrough Athlete.
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Alex captured the latest goal ever scored by a player of the U.S. Women's team and a FIFA record. A 123rd minute goal in the semi-final against Canada won them a spot in the gold medal game. That goal landed her the 20th team-high in 2012 and became the sixth and youngest player to do so.
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Morgan ended the tournament with 3 goals and a team-high of 4 assists. Seventeen of her 28 goals to this day have come after the 60th minute. While leading the U.S in goals, assists, multi-goal games and points, she became the third and youngest player to have 20 assists in a calendar year.
Team U.S.A.
2016 Rio Olympics
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Morgan played her 100th game for the United States Women's National team on January 23rd, scoring one goal and one assist. Alex scored the fasted recorded goal in tournament history of the USWNT at the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers within 12 seconds against Costa Rica. Alex accomplished her third career hat-trick against Trinidad and Tobago. Those goals were the confirmation of the qualification for the USWNT to go to the Rio Olympics. They ended up winning the tournament with Morgan on the starting line-up in the final against Canada.
Orlando Pride: 2015-2016
On October 26th, 2015, Alex was traded to Orlando Pride with teammate Kaylyn Kyle. She scored 4 goals in 15 appearances and finished in 9th place with Orlando.
Olympique Lyonnais: 2017-Present Day
Alex Morgan signed to Olympique Lyonnais on January 5th, 2017 and is currently playing with them.
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More Than Just a Soccer Player
Alex isn't just an amazing soccer player, she's an author. She has a three-novel series called "Saving the Team", which debuted 7th on the New York Times Middle Grade Bestseller list in May 2013. Her second book "Sabotage Season", came out later that year.
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Mallory Kelly 8B
Conclusion
Alex Morgan has come a long way and she isn't done yet. She wants to inspire young girls everywhere to become a strong female athlete, just like her.
