The USWNT might have cruised through the Paris Olympics without a single loss, but now they’re facing an even tougher hit. A loss in the form of Alex Morgan hanging up her cleats. She’s announced that the upcoming San Diego Wave vs North Carolina Courage match will be her last game, and players from the USWNT are coming out to pay their respects. Trinity Rodman has been especially vocal, not just giving a nod to Morgan but really highlighting everything she’s done for women’s soccer.

After scoring against the Portland Thorns in front of Magic Johnson, Rodman sat down for an interview where she got asked about this big change with Alex Morgan stepping away. Talking about the 35-year-old’s incredible impact on the sport, the 22-year-old said, “I just feel like she’s, you can say she’s changed the game of soccer, but it’s so much more than that.”

Trinity Rodman went on to add, “She’s changed the world in such an amazing way with how many people that she can touch. Just investing in women and just like the care in that.” Despite all of Alex Morgan’s achievements over her career, The Washington Spirit star believes she hasn’t received nearly enough recognition for what she’s done. Rodman stated it perfectly, “She’ll never get enough credit for all the things that she’s changed in the sport and outside of the sport.”

She even shared a quick story from her match and her chat with her ‘Triple Espresso’ partner Sophia Smith. The Paris Olympic winner compared the USWNT legend retiring to a kid saying goodbye to their mom and taking off the training wheels. For her, it feels like a big “passing the torch” moment.

It’s definitely the end of an era, and it’s wild to think about how different women’s soccer would be without Alex Morgan. Still not convinced? Let’s check out what Alexis Ohanian—yep, Serena Williams’ husband once had to say to back up Trinity Rodman’s point!

Alex Morgan’s big role in Alexis Ohanian’s big endeavor

All the NWSL fans might be familiar with the role Alexis Ohanian has played in boosting women’s soccer. Being a big spokesperson for the women’s game, in 2020 he put his money where his mouth is when he became a part owner in NWSL side Angel City FC. Today that same team is the most valuable women’s sports team in the world. Talk about making an impact!

But here’s something you might not know: Alexis’s investment wouldn’t have happened without Alex Morgan. Back in 2019, Ohanian reached out on X (formerly known as Twitter) asking how he could own an NWSL team. And behold it was the San Diego Wave forward with a reply ready to offer her help. This exchange soon led to both chatting about the ins and outs of pro women’s soccer and the rest is history.

To this day, Alexis Ohanian can’t thank Morgan enough for her support. Even in his tribute to the forward after her retirement announcement, he made sure to show how grateful he still is for the help. This whole situation really highlights just how much influence Alex Morgan has had on women’s soccer. And not just on the field but off it too!