Alex Morgan thanks fans as Wave retire her number

Alex Morgan stepped to the podium and paused as the crowd at Snapdragon Stadium chanted her name.

Moments earlier, a video had played featuring many of her former teammates, San Diego FC head coach Mikey Varas, and her husband Servando Carrasco with their children, congratulating her on a storied career.

The San Diego Wave players looked on as Morgan spoke about being with the club since its first year, witnessing its growth. Her retirement last summer elicited tributes throughout the sport, none bigger than Sunday’s jersey retirement at Snapdragon Stadium. Morgan has been close with the club all year — earlier this spring, the Wave announced Morgan had joined management as a minority investor.

“I am proud now to be watching as a fan,” Morgan said. “I will be your biggest fan…and owner.”

She ended by thanking the fans for their unwavering support.

“This means everything,” Morgan said.

For the Wave, it was a day dedicated to celebrating their former star. The result — a 3-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo — was secondary.

When she arrived at the stadium, Morgan entered through the south tunnel to roaring applause. A young fan handed her a bracelet, and Morgan promised she would wear it during her jersey retirement ceremony. The girl turned to a man standing behind her, beaming with a huge smile.

As Morgan made her way through the stadium, signing autographs and taking selfies, she suddenly stopped. In her path stood a woman holding a sign that read: “Alex, this mom worked extra hard to make her dream to see you come true.”

Morgan signed the daughter’s Team USA jersey, then posed for photos as both mother and daughter cried. Then she shared a special hug when the superstar walked away.

The two had flown from Idaho just for this moment.

“I worked a bunch of extra shifts to be able to get these seats and to get her here just to see her smile, and I’m so excited,” the mom, who wanted to be identified only as Kat, said.

Moments like this reflect what Morgan has meant to soccer during her 13-year career. Morgan says the interactions mean a lot to her, too.

“I’ve only been a San Diegan for three and a half years, but I feel like I’ve been able to accomplish so much more than I ever had in my career,” Morgan said.

Morgan said she woke up Sunday with a little pep in her step, knowing how significant the day would be.

“I kind of had to take a moment and take a deep breath and just enjoy it, because I feel like these really high moments don’t come anymore as often now that I’m not playing actively,” Morgan said.

Before heading up the tunnel, Morgan spent about 20 minutes with the media. Her face lit up when asked what it meant for her kids to see her jersey retired.

She pointed toward her daughter Charlie, who had been curious about why the ceremony was happening.

Charlie Carrasco always attends Wave home games, cheering, asking if the team is winning, and joining in when the crowd erupts.

“To be standing there in front of the crowd and just sharing with her this moment will be really special,” Morgan said. “For her to know that her mom really dedicated a lot of her life to making women’s soccer and women’s sports in a better place than when I came into, I think, is really important for her to learn, and she will understand that eventually.”

The match itself was mostly forgettable for the home team.

Houston struck first in the 17th minute, when Clarissa Larisey weaved through defenders before finishing for a 1-0 lead. Right before halftime, Larisey slipped a pass into the box for Yazmeen Ryan, who doubled the lead.

In the 77th minute, Maggie Graham delivered a cross that Messiah Bright converted to seal the win.

San Diego could have used Morgan on the pitch. Since returning from the international break, the Wave have just one win and only three goals in six matches.