Two-time World Cup winner Alex Morgan played 13 minutes in her final match before retirement on Sunday, a nod to the number 13 shirt she wore for most of her storied career.
Morgan’s number was called shortly after the 13th minute of the San Diego Wave NWSL regular season match with the North Carolina Courage, with Amirah Ali waiting on the sideline as the 35-year-old slowly walked to the bench. Morgan immediately received hugs from her teammates, some of whom were visibly in tears as she spent time focusing on her career.
The player herself was smiling, just as she was at several points before and during her final match as a professional athlete, though she also fought back tears. The large crowd at Snapdragon Stadium began chanting her name while also holding signs honoring her groundbreaking legacy after a fourteen-year career.
Every player on the bench hugged Morgan as she finally approached her spot among the substitutes and finally took her seat to take in the rest of the match.
The match was 1–1 at the time of Morgan’s exit, with the Courage scoring first, but Kennedy Wesley scored the equalizer in the 13th minute, giving the World Cup winner one last chance to celebrate a goal before retiring . Morgan had a chance to score in the 10th minute but her penalty was saved by Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy.