Answering Google's top questions about Alex Morgan

One of the most recognizable faces on the U.S. women's national soccer team, Alex Morgan is back in the Olympics for a third time, to chase after the second gold medal of her career.

Morgan and Team USA are set to play the Netherlands in a quarterfinal matchup Friday, after the U.S. finished second in Group G, behind Sweden — the team that defeated the U.S. in the quarterfinal round of the 2012 Rio Olympics.

Diehard and casual soccer fans alike are eager to cheer on the USWNT, which arrived at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as the favorite to win gold. Anytime the women's soccer team is in the spotlight, so too is Morgan, the former co-captain of the 2019 World Cup championship team.

Let's see what people have been researching most about the superstar striker, as we answer Google's top questions about Morgan.

What team is Alex Morgan on?

In addition to her spot on the USWNT, Morgan competes with the Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

Morgan made her professional debut with the Western New York Flash in 2011, where she helped the team win a championship. The same year, she earned a spot on the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup team at age 22, which made her the youngest member of the U.S. team, which finished runner-up to Japan.

Morgan has appeared in three Olympic Games (the 2012 London Olympics and 2016 Rio Olympics are the others). She scored the match-winning goal, in the 123rd minute of a semifinal match, against Canada during the 2012 Olympics. In 2012, she also joined Mia Hamm as the only American woman to record 20 goals and 20 assists in the same calendar year.

Morgan won World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, celebrated an NWSL championship with Portland Thorns FC in 2013, and has signed short-term contracts with French team Lyon (2017) and FA Women’s Super League team Tottenham Hotspur (2020).

Where is Alex Morgan from?

Daughter of Pamela and Michael Morgan, Alex was born in the Los Angeles County suburb of San Dimas, California and moved to nearby Diamond Bar when she was three.

When did Alex Morgan start playing soccer?

Morgan learned the sport at a young age from her father, one of her early coaches, but she didn’t begin competing in club ball until she joined the Cypress Elite at age 14.

In high school, Morgan was a multi-sport athlete, who also played volleyball and ran track, but it quickly became apparent soccer was her true calling.

At Diamond Bar High School, Morgan was a three-time all-league selection in soccer and was named an National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American.

She attended Cal, where she led the Golden Bears to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances. She finished her collegiate career ranked third all-time at the school in goals scored (45) and points (106), despite occasional absences from the team so she could fulfill her commitment to the U.S. under-20 women’s national team.

What is Alex Morgan's soccer number?

For much of Morgan's career, she has worn 13 on her jersey, the same number retired soccer star Kristine Lilly donned as a member of the USWNT.

Between March and November of 2010, Morgan played alongside Lilly on the national team and had to wait her turn to sport the digits. 

When Lilly retired in 2011, Morgan inherited the number and has since made it special in her own right.

Why is Alex Morgan called “Baby Horse”?

“Baby Horse” became a popular moniker for Morgan when she got her start with the USWNT at a young age.

Inspired by her speed, running style, and youthful spirit, “Baby Horse” is still a common nickname among fans, but Morgan’s teammates hardly apply the tag anymore. As USWNT member Megan Rapinoe explained during the 2012 Olympics, Morgan has matured into a "full-on stallion.”

Who is Alex Morgan married to?

Morgan married defensive midfielder Servando Carrasco on Dec. 31, 2014.

The couple met at Cal, while both played soccer for the Golden Bears. They have a daughter, Charlie Elena Carrasco, born May 7, 2020. 

What is Alex Morgan’s favorite song?

In the feature film "Alex & Me," which stars Morgan as herself in a fictionalized setting, main character Reagan approaches Morgan to tell her how much she knows about her idol, including Morgan's favorite song — "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson.

The chart-topping single can also be found on a playlist Morgan created for an ESPN W feature ahead of the 2015 World Cup.

She is also a known Taylor Swift fan and was particularly fond of Kings of Leon while she was in college.

What is Alex Morgan’s net worth?

In 2015, Morgan was ranked as the top-paid American women's soccer player by Time. Her net worth is estimated at $3 million, which includes income earned from endorsement deals with Nike, Coca Cola, Panasonic, Nationwide, and Bridgestone.

While $3 million may seem like a lot to the average person, it pales in comparison to the earnings for some of the top male athletes in the world.

Throughout her career, Morgan has been a vocal advocate for gender equality and recently began fighting for the USWNT to earn equal pay to the men's team.