Alex Morgan, the legendary U.S. women's national team striker, has never shied away from speaking her mind. Now, as the debate over transgender athletes in women's sports heats up, Morgan is sending a clear message to states with restrictive policies: she's not backing down.
In 2023, while still anchoring the USWNT, Morgan signaled that she and her teammates were prepared to take a stand against states like Florida and Texas, which have enacted laws targeting transgender athletes. Her 'warning' was simple: if those states don't change their tune, they might lose the privilege of hosting USWNT matches.
“Looking at these games in Florida and Texas respectively, we’re going to need to continue to step it up, and have internal discussions as well with the team, because we’re not ones to shy away from hard conversation or taking a stand for what’s right,” Morgan told reporters at the time.
Morgan's comments come amid a broader national conversation, sparked in part by recent remarks from WNBA star Sophie Cunningham, who argued for keeping transgender athletes out of women's sports, calling it “common sense.” Cunningham's stance has drawn both support and criticism, with Megan Rapinoe calling it 'villainizing'.
For Morgan, the issue is deeply personal. She and several USWNT teammates have worn wristbands reading “Protect Trans Kids,” and they've consistently voiced support for transgender inclusion in sports. Morgan emphasized that the fight goes beyond the field.
“The inclusion of trans kids in sports is the inclusion of kids in sports. Everyone should have the ability to play sport. And the fact that it’s being taken into politics so big is really sad. And I think it’s at the cost of trans kids’ lives,” Morgan said. “It’s really sad, and I feel like what Becky said was great. And for this team, we’ve always been very vocal with where we stand and I think we’ll continue to do that.”
Morgan's warning was not just about boycotts; it was about using her platform to advocate for change. She acknowledged that playing in Florida and Texas would require tough conversations, but she made it clear that the team is ready to have them.
“Playing in Florida and Texas, that’s something that the team definitely needs to look at,” Morgan said. “I think just even talking about it is good.”
The debate over transgender athletes continues to divide sports, with the WNBA remaining silent on one player's eligibility and Caitlin Clark facing backlash for dodging the question. Morgan's stance adds another layer to the ongoing discussion, as she remains one of the most influential voices in women's soccer.
As the USWNT prepares for future fixtures, Morgan's warning serves as a reminder that for her, sports are about more than just winning—they're about standing up for what's right, even when it's controversial.
