Alex Morgan Exclusive! Emma Hayes, Olympics omission, retirement, USWNT & more! | ESPN FC

All right, Alex, thanks so much for joining us on Football W. It's so great to chat and yeah, connect with you again. I miss you a lot. And I was my COO, but it's so good to see you. I know. Thank you so much for your time. So let's get let's get in there. So you obviously made the decision to retire this after the season and while announcing also a huge announcement in your pregnancy at the same time. So how long did you process this for and this decision? And has it truly sunk in yet that you are actually fully retired at this moment? Well, it better sink in because you can't see my belly, but it's there. It's growing. And so when I started to think through this, it was kind of like off season last year going into this last season in twenty twenty four. I kind of I talked to my husband, Serrano. I kind of thought through it a lot and I decided going into this season it would be my last and I was going to go for it, you know, try to win a championship and then to be still try to go for the Olympics and help my team win a gold medal. You know, both of those things didn't work out as I had planned, nor did my pregnancy. But I think the biggest thing that I was really proud of is that I stuck to what I committed to at the beginning of the year, which was all you can do is try and work hard to, you know, fulfill that last year and everything that I've done leading up to this year. I mean, there's there's nothing more I could ask for, really, with my playing career. So this was kind of just a bonus year. So I just wanted to try and enjoy it. That's what I did, regardless of all the ups and downs and things and, you know, pieces of adversity that were thrown my way. But I feel really good with where I am right now. Well, you look good. And I'm proud of you because you had a tremendous career. And I am so happy that I was able to share the field with you for all those years and just see you thrive. So I know it probably, you know, obviously it wasn't your decision. You know, you dreamt of something, you know, to to end on such a high. But like you said, sometimes that just doesn't that doesn't end the way that we we assume or want. But what something I've struggled with was the structure not having a schedule, you know, since I've retired. Is that something that you are finding challenging or what? What do you find challenging now in this, you know, life after sport? The first couple of weeks after it was it was kind of a lot at once, but then also nothing. Because it was you know, I had been working on my foundation and leading up to our second annual gala for our fundraising gala for the Morgan Foundation. So I was busy with that. I also have gone into venture a lot more. So I was looking at a lot of deals. So in that way, I was busy. But just like you said, like the structure was, I mean, the routine and everything was like totally thrown off. You know, you with soccer, it's like if you train in the morning, you know, from like 830 a.m. I drop Charlie off. I go to soccer. I'm there until one or two. And then I have like my afternoon meetings or whatever. I want to do for a couple hours. I pick Charlie up and then that's kind of my day. Now it was kind of like, when do I work out? When do I shower? Because if I'm not working out, do I shower in the morning or at night? Like stupid things that people shouldn't have to think about. And so, yeah, the structure was a little different. But I think after a few weeks, I kind of like got the hang of it. And because I had like all of these things that I had continued, even though soccer stopped, I had all these other things that I was still doing otherwise. And so I think I just like really ramped up with that and dug into that while still supporting the wave. Yeah. And that's so incredible to kind of keep yourself busy, right? It's like it's just a different busy, but still a good busy. And you're still making a huge impact. So it's incredible. But I kind of want to take it back to the beginning in 2009 when just at 20 years old, you got, you know, received your first national team call up while at college at Cal Berkeley. And that was actually one of my first camps, too, with you. So it's such a great memory. But how did you feel in that moment to be called up to the national team and something that, you know, we dream of as a young girl? And yeah, what was that like for you? It was incredible. I mean, it's hard to put into words like like, you know, just walking into the hotel lobby and seeing kind of your idol. I saw Abby Wambach and I'm like, do I go say hi? This is weird. We're going to be playing soccer together tomorrow. Shannon Fox, Chrissy Rampone, like all of these legends that I had been watching for so many years. Now I'm like, wait, I'm playing with them. I don't know if I'm worthy of this. So in that moment, it was very intimidating. But if there's anything about the U.S. Women's National Team is we try to make it as welcoming as possible because it is like a family when ways we spend more time with each other than we do our own families. I think they can attest to that. So so from the very start, it was, you know, that level of like fear and intimidation factor kind of went away pretty quickly. And then it was like, OK, let's just get to work. We're all here to like win championships and medals. And like, how do we like work together to make that goal happen? But 2009. Oh, my goodness. That sounds like so long ago. Wow. No, it is. But also, you know, then jumping to 2011. Also, you know, speaking of legendary players, because 2011, you then get the first round draft pick to Portland Thorns because the league comes back and or actually this is an excuse me, the WPS with Western New York Flash, you know, you're playing with Caroline Sager, you're playing with Marta, you're playing with Christine Sinclair, other international stars. So did you learn anything in that, you know, that time period, first playing as a professional that, you know, you took throughout your career from, you know, those specific players? The biggest thing that I learned from playing with Marta Sink, Caroline Sager, Allie Riley, I mean, our our team was stacked. But I feel like what I learned mostly was just like the level of professionalism they carried, but also like being able to differentiate yourself from or just like balance your life, not just all with soccer, but have like your interests and your hobbies outside of soccer, your friendships, you know, taking care of your family as well in terms of like continuing to connect with them. And, you know, days can become weeks and months, especially when you're playing and you're all over the world and you feel like you feel like you're so disconnected from a lot of people. So I feel like keeping that connection is really important. So just watching players like that and being able to learn from that at such a young age, I just tried to soak it all in while going to a World Cup in 2011 with you and Germany. It was crazy. Yeah, it all happened like so quick, too, right? When you jumped on the team, there were so many exciting things going on. But to gain that experience and that perspective is is amazing right at the beginning of the career, too, to be able to carry that on. So obviously, WPS, the league has, you know, hasn't always been easy, you know, especially after WPS folded. So in 2012, I know you went to play for Seattle Sounders. We were all kind of trying to figure out what was next. And there was uncertainty about the future. So how did you mentally and physically stay prepared potentially for whatever was next in that instability period that we that we all suffered from? I feel like we kind of had to. It was like we were we wanted this to work so well or we wanted this to work so much because at the at that time, it was like, especially, you know, in college and before that it was, you know, I wanted to play on the national team and I didn't have a dream of playing. And WPS or NWFL because like that didn't exist at that point. So for us, it was just like being able to live out our dreams like day in and day out on put on a club team rather than just like playing for a national team, being able to like financially feel that stability as well through the through like a league and then like inspiring the next generation of soccer players to want to dream of playing in the WPS or now NWSL, you know, in ways that we didn't have that dream. Like I saw I saw the team play in the 2008 Olympics. And that's where I was like, I want to be on this team next time they compete in the Olympics. And that's where I kick started my dream. But just having the opportunity for girls to be able to go to teams in the city that they grew up in and see these professional athletes compete at a high level week in a week out like I think that's where we all kind of had the motivation from. And in many ways, like still do. And I, you know, some of the younger players on the team, I've tried to share my experience with them because they don't know any different. And I'm like, it was so different not too long ago. You know, the league is in 13th or 14th year of existence. But I'm like, there was a lot of grinding and a lot of fighting for what we have today that I'm so glad you guys never have to go through. But it's also important to like reflect on that and know like where we came from. Right. And obviously having that, you know, I guess just a rewarding feeling of being the founders, I should say, of the NWSL back in 2013. And you had joined Portland and then you had won the first ever championship of the NWSL. That probably was such a rewarding feeling just to have started something bigger than ourselves. And I know that throughout your career, obviously played for Orlando Pride as well and and then finished in San Diego. But you also played overseas for, you know, in France and in England. And I value the international leagues as well. And I know you won Champions League, which is obviously, you know, you basically completed soccer. But what do you think the NWSL can learn from some of those leagues and maybe vice versa? I think something the NWSL is really great at is the competitiveness across the board. Each game is extremely competitive. There's no blowouts in the NWSL. There's no five zeros. And, you know, if it is a five zero game, the next time they play each other could be five zero the other way. Like it's it's so it's so even, which I yeah, which I love. I think that, you know, something the NWSL can learn from other leagues is is just like, you know, figuring out like style of play that kind of is a little less like hectic and a little more like savvy when it comes to soccer, like taking care of the ball a little bit more sometimes. And it's hard when, you know, teams in the U.S. and the NWSL are used to like high pressing. If they don't have the ball, they high press a lot more. You know, you look to get it back quickly, which exposes, I think, defenses a little bit more, because then if you're throwing numbers forward, a lot of times there's a lot of 1v1s or players that get in behind, which we saw a lot of, you know, from Soph this year, from Barbara Banda, from Chuinga, like from a lot of these players really getting all these opportunities because of teams kind of throwing numbers forward a lot and leaving their defenders a little bit vulnerable. But otherwise, you know, I'm really happy with the structure of also how the Club World Cup is picking up. And there was qualifiers for that, because I think for me, I wanted to go to France because I wanted to play in Champions League. Like that was the one thing I wanted to do is, which is something that, you know, playing in the U.S. or in North America just doesn't offer because it's a European tournament. So having the Club World Cup and being able to compete with the best club teams around the world, I think truly like levels of playing field and like, okay, who really is the best? Because I think the NBA itself has raised its level so much, especially in the last couple of years, where not only are we retaining the talent of U.S. players, but we're bringing some of the best talent from overseas. And it's really great to see like the level just continuing to raise every year. And with the new CBA having higher salary cap, no max salary for like individual players, things like this will create like competitiveness between European teams that don't have a salary cap and the NWSL. Right, yeah, no, that's a really good point. I hope we can get to the Club World Cup at some point. But speaking, taking you back to the national team and speaking of that, and obviously, you know, I was devastated that you weren't on the Olympic roster. And I'm sure you more so, you know, just being really upset about that decision. What did you think of that? And how did you process that? Because I thought you had handled it with such grace and professionalism as you always do. But how was that feeling for you? And then what also on top of that, did you think of Emma and the team, you know, this past summer? Yeah, I understood that the team was trending younger obviously the opportunity to have younger players come in and prove themselves and prepare them for another big tournament coming in the World Cup in 2027. This was a pivotal time for those players to get that experience, improve themselves. And Emma wanting to come in and kind of make her mark on the team. So I knew in a way it was like a coin toss between me going or not, you know, I thought that I had pretty good odds, but at the end of the day, you know, it's not up to me. It's up to one person. And she made her decision and I supported the team throughout the Olympics. You know, there's really no better feelings when it comes to the national team. I've worked my whole life to get to the national team. And, you know, at this point, just falling short in my last year, you know, I'm gonna continue to support the team for as long as I am alive and this team is gonna do incredible things. So I was so happy to see them win gold in the Olympics and the triple espresso just doing so well and scoring so many goals. So, you know, it was like, I've done everything that I've wanted to do. I'm a gold medalist. I've won World Cups. This would have been a cherry on top, but... What? Multiple World Cups. You know, but it didn't work out. And it was like, okay, instead I, you know, went to Italy on our end-of-life cell break and got pregnant. So it's a win then, okay? It's a win. No, I mean, all jokes aside, like you had obviously led the way for the triple espresso too. And I know they've learned so much from you along the way. So, you know, I think everything happens for a reason and I'm sure they'd say the same. And I don't know if they would be as successful without you leading the way for them in that front line. So I know that they're grateful for working with you and just, you know, learning everything from you that they could. But moving, shifting gears to your advocacy work, obviously even a vocal leader, especially for us and the team and for equality and the reform in women's sports and both on and off the field. But is one of your proudest moments, you know, kind of our fight for equal pay and, you know, winning that lawsuit against US Soccer and actually changing the game for women's sports and around the world? 100%. I mean, I think when I look back at my legacy, you know, I did a lot of amazing things on the field, but what we were able to accomplish as a team off of the field and the domino factor, like we say, the butterfly effect that that had on other teams and leagues in fighting for pay equity. And in our case, True Equality, it was so rewarding because we all put in, I mean, you as well, like so many hours and so much time that we'll never get back, but it just was so worth it. And so it definitely is one of my greatest achievements by far and my advocacy work doesn't stop there. I founded, I started the Alex Morgan Foundation just a year and a half ago, and we've done a lot of great work in the San Diego community to support girls in sport and helping with confidence and to support new moms, which is a very close cause to my heart as well, having not feeling like I knew where to turn when I first became pregnant and wanted to get back to playing soccer. And then also, this new contract agenda being added to Powerade, one of my longest standing partnerships that I've had since I, I wanna say since 2011 or 12, I've been with Powerade and Coca-Cola. And so just for Powerade to be able to give their athletes a break at any time that the athlete chooses based on their mental wellbeing and wanting the athlete to take a pause if needed, I think is so important because we've all had those times when we've played that we needed a little bit of a break and we've just pushed through it or have it and suffered consequences for not showing up because of our, because we mentally needed a little bit of a pause or a break. So I think knowing that brands are, brands like Powerade are sticking behind their athletes and being able to give those athletes an opportunity to take a pause without being, without there being any consequences and that to be explicitly in the contract feels really good. And I'm really happy to be able to stand behind that. Yeah, you've done incredible work. And I know when reading about the Powerade announcement that it's not just an organization, they wanna make sure that this is a commitment. And I thought that was really special in the wording that they had. But lastly, I know we have to go, but lastly, I just wanted to talk to you about just ending your professional career in San Diego, a place where you call home, a place where your family is and where you were raised and how that was for you. Obviously the season you didn't really expect going from first to then not making the playoffs, but how tough was that season and what was the experience there finally ending your illustrious career in a place that you call home? Yeah, it was quite a challenging season for it to be my last and to wrap up this year. But at the same time, I just felt so loved and supported when I announced my retirement and my pregnancy and just to see everyone come with three days notice to my last game and all of my friends and family flying in and supporting me. I didn't get to experience soccer as a fan really, like my family and my friends did for so long. And so after I retired, going back to the Wave games and just like sitting there watching as a fan, it's actually more fun and way less stressful. I really recommend it. I found that going, like entering the stadium, you might not have this issue, but entering the stadium in a different door is weird to me. Like the whole process of going to the stadium now is like, okay, well, where are we going? How are we getting in? Do we have a ticket? Like all this stuff. And so that's fun. Yeah, don't worry. We have a ticket. I'm pretty sure we'll always have a ticket. But you know what I mean? Like where are we sitting? Is it gonna be safe? Like what's going on? Anyway. Yeah, it's a little different, but it's fun. I mean, it's way less stressful. I am really enjoying this low stress life right now. Yeah, fingers crossed. Okay, early bird or night owl? Are you an early bird? Okay. I have to. Okay, sorry. Championship win or personal record? Championship win, for sure. Home game or away game? Home game all the way. Books or podcasts? That's a hard one. I love both. I'm gonna say books though. Okay, city living or suburban life? Both? I don't know. It's like you want your space in the city. Yeah, okay. Last one, World Cup or Olympics? These are hard, Elle. Why are you? I'm gonna go World Cup, slightly. Yeah, me too. Okay, thank you so much. I adore you and congrats on everything. And I hope I see you soon. Thanks. I hope to see you soon too. Maybe on the bike behind you. Can't wait to see you just cycling it up. I'll be riding on my way to San Diego. Okay, love you girl. Thank you. Love you too. Bye.