When the Orlando Pride was announced as a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) franchise in 2015, six days later came the announcement of its first trio of players, highlighted by U.S. WNT superstar, Alex Morgan.
In a blockbuster trade with the Portland Thorns, Morgan made her way to The City Beautiful, where she would remain for the next six seasons. Now on the move to San Diego FC, the forward departs the Club as its second all-time leading goalscorer with 23 in all competitions, with 10 assists to add in 69 appearances in purple.
Morgan’s role in bringing women’s professional soccer to The City Beautiful cannot be understated. To celebrate, let’s look back at five of Morgan’s most memorable moments as a member of the Pride.
October 26, 2015: Welcome to Orlando
As part of the first player announcement in Club history, Morgan, along with former Pride players Kaylyn Kyle and Sarah Hagen, were introduced as members of the Orlando Pride.
April 23, 2016: #FillTheBowl
In the Pride’s first home match in franchise history, that set a then-NWSL record with 23,403 fans in attendance, Morgan captained the side and found the back of the net for the first time in purple, netting the insurance goal in the Club’s first-ever victory, a 3-1 win over the Houston Dash at the then-named Citrus Bowl.
July 15, 2017: Back in The City Beautiful
Following a six-month spell at perennial powerhouse Olympique Lyonnais, Morgan scored in her second start upon her return, netting the eventual game-winner for the Pride in a 4-1 victory over FC Kansas City. The finish served as Morgan’s first of the year in a season where she’d net nine finishes in 14 appearances, helping the Pride to its first postseason berth in Club history.
July 16, 2019: Welcome Back Champions
Morgan, alongside then-Pride teammates Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger, were celebrated in a welcome back event at Lion’s Pride in downtown Orlando in front of a packed house. The trio were honored by City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demmings and celebrated by a crowd of Pride fans. The Silver Boot winner for the tournament, Morgan scored six goals, five of which came in the Americans’ opener against Thailand to tie the World Cup single-game goals record set by Michelle Akers in 1991.
May 16, 2021: The Return to the Pitch
In the Pride’s 2021 NWSL regular-season opener, Morgan found the back of the net for the first time for the Club since the 2018 campaign and for the first time since giving birth to daughter, Charlie. The finish served as the late equalizer for the Pride in a 1-1 draw with Washington and the first of five for Morgan on the year, including a pair of game-winners.
