SAN DIEGO (September 8, 2024) – San Diego Wave FC took the field at Snapdragon Stadium in front of 26,516 spectators as the club honored striker Alex Morgan, who played her final professional game. Despite a 4-1 loss to North Carolina, the evening was marked by a poignant tribute to Morgan’s legendary career.
After both clubs scored in the first 12 minutes of play, play was stopped in the 13th minute in a nod to Morgan’s famous shirt number as the legend was taken out of the game. All eyes in the stadium were on the midfield as Morgan, surrounded by her teammates, unlaced her boots one last time, bringing an end to her remarkable career.
North Carolina scored three more goals and took the three points away.
Next on the agenda: San Diego travels to America First Field to face the Utah Royals on Saturday, September 14. The game begins at 7:00 p.m. PT and will be televised on ion.
Social: Twitter – @sandiegowavefc | Instagram – @sandiegowavefc | on facebook.
Notes:
- Captain Alex Morgan played her final professional game of her career after announcing her retirement on Thursday, September 6. The legendary striker was substituted in the 15th minute of play at Snapdragon Stadium to a standing ovation.
- The game was Morgan’s 63rd appearance for the Wave and he was honored with the number 63 jersey at a pregame ceremony.
- Morgan finished her career with 150 regular season appearances in the NWSL, scoring 60 goals and 23 assists.
- Defender Kennedy Wesley scored her first goal of the year. The goal was Wesley’s second header, the first coming on July 20 in the NWSL x Liga MX Summer Cup against Bay FC.
- Forward María Sánchez assisted on her fourth goal for San Diego this season, more than any other Wave player.
- Sánchez has been involved in six of the club’s last eight goals in all competitions.
Result:
San Diego Wave FC 1:4 North Carolina Courage
Summary of the rating:
NC – Hopkins (3) (Berkley, 1) 4′
SD – Wesley (1) (Sanchez, 4) 13′
NC – Smoke (1) (Berkley, 2) 21′
NC – St Georges (3) (Berkley, 3) 45′
NC – Bacon (2) (Wingate, 1) 90+4′
Summary of misconduct:
NC – O’Sullivan (Caution) 8′
SD – Sheridan (Red) 60′
Participation: 26,516
San Diego Wave FC: GK Sheridan, D Westphal, D Girma, D Wesley, D McNabb, M Doniak (Colaprico HT), M van Egmond (Lundkvist 63′), M Barcenas, F Sánchez (85. Jones), F Morgan © (Ali 15′)F. Cascarino (Beall 63′)
Unused substitutes: GK Messner, D Morroni, M Ascanio, F Jakobsson, F Bennett
Courage from North Carolina: GK Murphy, D Rauch (Bell 88′), D Williams, D Berkley, D Kurtz, M Weatherholt, M O’Sullivan ©, M George, M Sanchez (Bacon 88′), F St. Georges ((Gomes, 73 minutes)F. Lussi (Pinto 73′), F. Hopkins (Wingate 61′)
Unused substitutes: GK Bova, D McLean, M Pickett, F Vine
Statistics overview: SD / NC
Shots: 11 / 15
Shots on goal: 4 / 6
Saves: 2 / 3
Corners: 6 / 5
Fouls: 4 / 7
Offside: 2 / 1
Ball possession: 49% / 51%
