Before they became stars: USA's Alex Morgan

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™ and its senior counterpart, the FIFA Women’s World Cup™, have always shared close ties. Over the years, the youth tournament has seen some of the biggest stars in women’s football emerge, with many making their mark on the global stage before going on to shine at senior level.

In this series, FIFA looks back at the journeys of these players, from their first exploits at U-20 level to their emergence as senior stars.

Alex Morgan | USA

Born in San Diego and raised in the suburban Los Angeles area, Morgan’s career took a big step forward when she landed at University of California-Berkeley to play four seasons with the Golden Bears. Morgan’s professional career then started in 2011 in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) with the Western New York Flash, followed by spells in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) with the Portland Thorns and Orlando Pride, plus stints in Europe with Lyon and Tottenham, before closing her career back home with the San Diego Wave. At senior international level, it is an avalanche of honours, highlighted by FIFA Women’s World Cup crowns at Canada 2015 and France 2019, along with a gold medal from the London 2012 Olympics.

Why does her FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign live in memory?

Morgan participated in just one edition of the U-20 global finals, and made a massive impact in helping USA lift the second of their three titles. It was Morgan who kickstarted things for the Americans in their group stage opener, with a delightful first-time finish in a 3-0 takedown of France.

She was on the mark again against Argentina with a second-half brace to propel the Stars and Stripes to another 3-0 victory. Morgan then saved her best for last with a brilliant solo strike in the final against DPR Korea that earned Goal of the Tournament honours. Receiving a bouncing ball just beyond halfway, she spun her first marker, before skipping by two more and side-stepping a third. Once free of opposition attention, she unleashed a wonderful left-footed effort into the top corner to give USA a 2-1 triumph.

By virtue of her four goals, the Californian took home the adidas Bronze Boot as the tournament’s third-highest scorer, while also earning the adidas Silver Ball as the second-best player behind team-mate Sydney Leroux.

What happened next?

When it comes to Morgan’s senior national team career, the numbers almost defy belief. She would step away from the international stage in 2024 after amassing an incredible 123 goals in 224 appearances. She announced herself on the Women’s World Cup stage at Germany 2011, with a goal and an assist in the final as USA narrowly fell to Japan in penalties.

Canada 2015 and France 2019 were different stories, as the Americans hoisted the trophy in each. In the latter, Morgan had a tournament to remember with six goals to collect the adidas Silver Boot. She also won gold and bronze in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament at London 2012 and Tokyo 2020, respectively.