VIDEO: Alex Morgan misses penalty in USWNT legend's final game after announcing retirement

USWNT legend Alex Morgan was denied a dream ending to her remarkable career when missing a penalty in her final competitive appearance.

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  At 35 years of age, the two-time World Cup winner has decided to hang up her boots. She does so with 224 international caps to her name and 123 goals for her country. A standing among the all-time greats has been secured by the talismanic striker.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Her farewell outing came for the San Diego Wave in their NWSL clash with the North Carolina Courage. Morgan played 13 minutes of that game – as she was replaced in the minute that matches her shirt number – but spurned the chance to bow out with another goal to her name after seeing a penalty saved.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Courage keeper Casey Murphy did not “read the room”, as she sprung to her right and parried Morgan’s spot kick around the frame of the goal. The Wave went on to lose said contest 4-1, but the night was all about a departing superstar.

• WHAT MORGAN SAID

  Morgan told those in attendance after the game: “What a ride it has been. I want to thank my teammates who have constantly challenged me every day and made me better. There have been so many incredible moments in my career but this last moment I share on the field with you I will cherish forever. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

  Morgan added, while wiping away tears: “You pushed me to be my best self every day. You pushed me to be the best soccer player, the best mom, the best person I could be just showing up every day and supporting me, encouraging me, challenging me, criticizing me at times. I just thank you so much.”

• WHAT NEXT?

  The legendary forward helped the United States to World Cup glory in 2015 and 2019. She has been a prominent voice in the fight for equality in women’s and men’s sport and will go down in history as a player that helped to change the global soccer scene.