Soccer fans worldwide were filled with tears on Sunday after Alex Morgan played her last soccer game. The build-up to the game was nothing about San Diego Wave’s NWSL campaign this year but how the USWNT icon impacted the game. Over 14 years, Morgan gave her heart and soul to the teams she played for and deserved a fitting sendoff. However, despite all the focus on the minor celebration of her career, Morgan still chose to open up about her penalty miss in the 10th minute.

Speaking after the game, the striker revealed that the responsibility for the penalty was on her because of her mentality. Advising the young aspirants to ‘work hard and believe’ in themselves, she said, “In 13 minutes I played, there was a lot that happened and stepping up to take the penalty, I cam off the field and thought to myself it’s the best example I could give of betting on yourself,” giving a peek into her mindset.

She then gave the reason, stating, “Because if I step up and take it, there’s a chance I can miss that, but if I don’t step up and take that and bet on myself. There’s no chance I can make it,” stating that it was how she thought all her career.

It is a commendable effort to take the field despite announcing her pregnancy, which was also the reason for her early retirement. Alex Morgan was known to score some extravagant goals all her life. Morgan always led by example, even if it was stunning headers to some long-range crackers from outside the box.

Hence, a couple of penalty misses won’t dampen the icon’s heritage. Therefore, even the coach backed the 35-year-old despite the miss.

San Diego Wave coach reflects on Alex Morgan’s penalty miss

From the match’s point of view, things did not go well for the departing star. The team received a 1-4 belting from North Carolina Courage and Alex Morgan’s penalty may have resulted in the Wave taking the lead with the subsequent goal in the 13th minute. While their playoff chances look bleak, the pressure to avoid a wooden spoon will also worry the coach Landon Donovan.

However, he defended her saying, “I missed way more penalties than [Alex Morgan] did in my career. It’s just part of the game.”

On the other hand, losing Morgan can be an enormous blow for the California team. Last year, she led them to the Supporters Shield with 6 goals and 4 assists. Even though she was hampered by injuries this season, her experience and positivity had already impressed the coach.

Morgan’s ability to get creative and contribute to goals always added value, and since she will not be there, it would be interesting to see how the team copes.