In a franchise first, Wave to honor soccer legend Alex Morgan following Sunday’s match

Camille Ashton took over the San Diego Wave’s front office last June.

Three months later, she faced one of the biggest challenges of any general manager’s career.

How do you replace an irreplaceable player?

Alex Morgan, the most recognizable women’s soccer player in the world, announced last September that she would retire after the Wave’s next match. The Encinitas resident revealed that day that she was pregnant with her second child. She gave birth to a boy, Enzo, in March.

On Sunday night, nearly one year after her final match, the Wave will honor Morgan at Snapdragon Stadium. The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a pink headband similar to the one that Morgan made famous. At halftime, speed-painter Jessica Haas will craft a portrait of the star forward in less than 10 minutes.

And following the match, the Wave will retire Morgan’s No. 13 jersey. It’s the first time the young club has honored a player that way.

It’s a credit to Ashton that Sunday’s match will be more than just a jersey retirement. San Diego is 8-4-6 as it takes on the Houston Dash (5-8-5) with hopes of continuing its turnaround season. The Wave sit third in the National Women’s Soccer League standings behind the Kansas City Current and Washington Spirit. The top eight teams make the playoffs.

Ashton was quick to say first-year coach Jonas Eidevall and the Wave’s retooled roster have helped the club bounce back after losing Morgan, midfielder Jaedyn Shaw (trade) and defender Naomi Girma (transfer). Playing Eidevall’s fast-paced, possession-heavy style, the Wave lead the NWSL in passes completed. With nearly two months remaining in the regular season, the Wave have already scored more goals and won more games than they did all last year.

“Credit to him, his staff and the players for buying into what we are trying to achieve here,” Ashton said. “It’s a testament to everybody really involved, again, in how quickly things have gone in a positive direction.”

Ashton and Morgan have more than just a Wave connection. The two spent the 2016 and part of the 2017 seasons as teammates with the NWSL’s Orlando Pride. Ashton was a defender, while Morgan was the club’s scoring star.

“Seeing her day in, day out, the standards that she holds herself to and those around her and strives for greatness,” Ashton said. “A lot of people really looked up to her, and she led differently, definitely by example, but also in always pushing standards and driving standards to be higher and better.”

The Wave acquired Morgan from Orlando in December 2021, months before their inaugural season began. Morgan played 62 matches for San Diego, scoring a club-leading 23 goals and adding nine assists. With Morgan in the lineup, Wave matches became an event. On Sept. 17, 2022, the club played in front of a league-record 32,000 fans at Snapdragon Stadium. Two years later, the club broke its own mark.

“I think we wouldn’t be here at San Diego and how big the Wave has gotten in the last three-and-a-half years if it wasn’t for Alex,” Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan said. “She’s created this platform. She’s built this club up from the ground and it’s really exciting to be able to celebrate her.”

Beyond her play, Morgan has been a driving force in the fight for equal pay in U.S. Soccer, helping push women’s sports to the forefront and ensuring she leaves the game better than she found it. She has hosted numerous youth soccer camps across San Diego. In 2023, she started the Alex Morgan Foundation, which fights for equity on and off the field.

“She was a huge part of the club’s history, and in such a young club, played such an important role as a player, but also in what she did off the field for this club and community,” Ashton said.

Many of the Wave’s young core of players grew up idolizing Morgan. One of them, forward Melanie Barcenas, grew up in San Diego and signed with the Wave when she was 15. Barcenas learned from Morgan in training and games; now 17, Barcenas has developed into a regular contributor.

Morgan remains involved with the Wave — she purchased a stake in the team in May — and remains close with many of the team’s players.

Makenzy Robbe scored an 85th-minute goal during last month’s 1-1 draw with Angel City FC. Television cameras caught Morgan on the sideline as she smiled, clapped and screamed for her former teammate.

“It means a lot to me, specifically having played with her at the start of this club and just to see firsthand the growth that she’s been able to impact the game,” Robbe said. “I feel honored to be able to say I played with her, and to be able to be there on Sunday.”

Said Barcenas: “It’s really cool to have normal interactions with someone you idolize so much. Replying to my Instagram stories, curious about things. It’s really cool to be able to have a relationship like that. I still idolize her and look up to her, even though we’re not on the same team anymore.”

The Wave know there’s important work to do before the ceremony. San Diego has gone 1-1-3 since returning from the NWSL’s international break, scoring just three goals in their last five matches. San Diego and Houston met once before this season, with the Dash winning 3-2 on June 13.

“Overall, really proud of where the team is,” Ashton said. “I don’t think we are satisfied and we haven’t accomplished anything yet, per se. But in saying that, we have had a lot of success very quickly, with a lot of new staff, a lot of new players, and putting together a lot of pieces this year.”

San Diego Wave (8-4-6) vs. Houston Dash (5-8-5)

When: 5:30 p.m., Sunday

Where: Snapdragon Stadium

TV: ESPN, KUSI, Paramount+