With Alex Morgan retiring from soccer, the USWNT and the San Diego Waves miss her presence on the field. Well, why wouldn’t they? As she was the best player in the world for some time. Nonetheless, Emma Hayes came to manage the national team and axed Morgan from making the USWNT squad. Since then, the alarm bells rang for the 224-capped player who finally got her soccer cleats out. Most people miss her, including her teammate with club and country, Naomi Girma.

Girma marshalls the defense line perfectly for the USWNT and the San Diego Wave. By sharing the field with Morgan for a few years, she understands the influence she holds in the team’s dressing room. Hence, with Sam Mewis asking her about Alex Morgan’s retirement, Girma knew the dressing lost a big influence. And more so, even Charlie!

Sam inquired, “I know. I’m sure you do. Do you miss Charlie too?”, as Girma replied, “Yes. Charlie on all of our away trips. We see her at games too.” You know, Charlie always attended the USWNT games when Alex Morgan played for her country. She was their official cheerleader, and Morgan often posted her clips on her Instagram handle. She has a separate fan base and all the players love to spend time with Charlie.

Amidst the conversation about Charlie, Sam asked Girma, “I know I heard you ask in Alex’s last press conference. You were like, can Charlie still come on away trips? That was your big pressing question.” 

Girma replied, “Yeah, I was like, we’ve got to ask the real questions here, people.” With all said about Charlie, Girma also gave her flowers to the USWNT legend during the interview.

Naomi Girma acknowledges Alex Morgan’s influence in her career!

Morgan won multiple trophies with the club and, for sure, led her teammates well. Girma mentioned, “It was so sad, but it was also bittersweet, I would say. I mean, Alex is incredible. She’s had the most amazing career. She’s done so much on and off the field. I don’t know if there’s ever been a player like her. So I think, you know, for her to play her last game was like, as a fan, I was sad.”

One concerning situation for the USWNT will be the big dressing room characters a team needs to set the squad up for major tournaments. Alex Morgan was one. However, she is 35, about to have her second child and she decided to retire following the outcome of that decision.

Girma continued, “And then as a teammate and friend, I’m like, you know, it’s hard not having her there every day, but she does come to all the home games still. So we still see her all the time. But yeah, it was bittersweet. There’s no one like Alex. So I’m gonna miss her for sure. I already miss her.”

We all miss Alex Morgan. She was one of the USWNT players who raised the bar. Consequently, Morgan’s departure will leave a void for her teammates and the fans.