Alex Morgan and husband Servando Carrasco are expecting their first child next spring. The United States women's national team captain posted the news Wednesday on her Instagram account, posing with Carrasco in a photo that announced their daughter is due in April.
The celebratory post did not elaborate on Morgan's soccer plans. After turning 30 during the World Cup -- in which she matched teammate Megan Rapinoe and England's Ellen White for the most goals scored and received the Silver Boot -- Morgan committed to playing through the 2023 World Cup.
She would join a list of national team players to compete in a World Cup after giving birth, including Jessica McDonald from the 2019 champions. Current women's national team general manager Kate Markgraf played in two World Cups before giving birth and one afterward. Also included are 2015 World Cup captain Christie Rampone, two-time World Cup winners Joy Fawcett and Carla Overbeck and 2007 World Cup participant Tina Ellertson.
Of more immediate relevance is the 2020 Olympics. Morgan confirmed her goal remains to compete in Japan. The pregnancy presumably rules Morgan out of Olympic qualifying for the U.S., as well as the early portion of the 2020 National Women's Soccer League season with the Orlando Pride. The site and dates of the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament have yet to be announced, but precedent and logistics indicate it will likely take place in February or March.
The Olympic women's tournament begins on July 22 in Japan. Rosters would not need to be finalized until a few weeks prior to competition. Olympic rosters are limited to 18 players, compared to 23 players for the World Cup.
Morgan won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the 2012 U.S. team.
Morgan and Carrasco, who plays for the LA Galaxy, met while students at the University of California and married on New Year's Eve in 2014.