Sometimes, things take a long time to sink in. Alex Morgan has retired from the beautiful game but has left a lasting impression on and off the soccer pitch. Gaining applause not just from her teammates, even rival managers were seen giving tributes to her stellar career. However, the decision to call off in the middle of the season surprised everyone, including Morgan’s teammate Lynn Williams. While her snub by Emma Hayes could have hinted at a possibility, Williams gives her take on what made it almost unbelievable at first.

Williams talking on the Women’s Game podcast stated, “I watched it in the locker room with Abby Smith because Maitane was like, ‘Did you hear about Alex?’ and I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ We had just finished training, so I pulled up the video, and I felt really shocked but also very happy for her.”

Yet, despite the astonishment, she said, “Not shocked in the sense that it was happening. I feel like she has been going back and forth if she wanted to retire or not. At least that in my experience of the camps I had been with her. But I was just shocked at how abruptly it was ending. I was like, ‘Whoa,'” revealing how fast things happened.

Meanwhile, the 2-time World Cup winner revealed that she decided in early 2024 to retire after the season. But her pregnancy forced her to fasten the process. Hence, the Gotham FC striker has an idea about her plans and wasn’t taken aback by the decision itself. Struck with injury in April, Morgan’s form seemed to dip during the 2024 NWSL season. This happened after leading Wave to a Supporters Shield in 2023.

Nevertheless, her blank spell in the 2023 World Cup had already started causing doubts about her future. But Alex Morgan then stated that her retirement was quite far, a year before being dropped for the 2024 Olympics by Hayes. However, Williams expressed her happiness for the impetus she had for women’s soccer.

Williams praises Alex Morgan for the NWSL’s transformation

The younger generation will be thankful for Alex Morgan’s stellar contributions to women’s soccer in the USA. The 35-year-old was a fighter who always promoted better conditions for women in the game, asking for equal pay. That said, Williams didn’t fail to remind of how she was involved in making NWSL one of the best leagues in the USA. The star with her magnetic goals and winning spirit drew large crowds that even testified by the OL Reign coach. Williams also stated how the league was dry without her when she went on brief spells to Olympique Lyon and Tottenham Hotspur.

Moreover, as she hung up her boots, she left as NWSL’s fourth-highest goalscorer. In addition, Morgan demanded the league withdraw the college draft system, which would hinder players’ freedom. Jubilant about the NWSL reaching CBA with its players, she can be proud of her endeavors. With many contributions to the sport, the star is now ready to go beyond soccer and make sports a better platform for women.