In this week’s issue of SI, senior writer Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) profiles Alex Morgan, the 23-year-old U.S. Women’s Soccer tasked with helping a new pro women’s league succeed where two others have failed. Described as a goal-scoring machine, social media phenom, a role model for her generation and the hottest star in the league, Morgan earned this acclaim through dedication, hard work and one nervous phone call to idol and mentor Mia Hamm.
Wahl says that Morgan’s athleticism is comparable to that of Hamm, who played on the 1999 World Cup winning team, but not identical. To improve her game, Morgan built up enough courage to unexpectedly call the former U.S. soccer player and ask for her mentorship and coaching expertise. “I was really nervous, obviously, because she’s Mia Hamm,” says Morgan (PAGE 53).
Hamm happily agreed and has watched the young Portland Thorn’s player work hard on and off the field ever since. “She’s so dynamic and explosive with her speed and strength,” says Hamm (PAGE 53).
The comparisons between Hamm and Morgan only go as far as their playing abilities however. When she is not on the field, Morgan is just as busy managing her image as one of soccer’s hottest new stars. From posing in body paint for SI’s 2012 Swimsuit issue to walking the runway at New York’s Fashion week, Morgan has quickly become a role model for younger female generations through various outlets other than sports, which is something her mentor did not do. “I wanted to help young women feel comfortable in whatever body type they have,” says Morgan (PAGE 53).
The soccer player also has proved successful through social media, gaining nearly 1.2 million followers on her Twitter account since the 2011 Women’s World Cup and catching the attention of LeBron James, FC Barcelona, Mike Tyson, Kobe Bryant and many others on the social media platform.
“I think it’s pretty cool to expand this soccer world into other sports like basketball,” says Morgan on her Twitter fan base, but states, “it’s just social media, so I don’t read into it too much” (PAGE 53).
Modesty, as reflected in her thoughts about social media, is how Morgan manages to stay humble and get the job done through all her glory; something her fellow teammates recognize about her and admire. U.S. teammate and reigning World Player of the Year Abby Wambach calls Morgan “the face of women’s soccer” and states, “So much attention on women in sports is based on looks, but Alex backs that up with even stronger athleticism… I’d absolutely compare her to David Beckham in terms of her appeal” (PAGE 54).
Morgan’s success as a strong athlete and rising star amongst younger generations comes at a crucial time for the U.S. Women’s Soccer league. With the failures of two previous women’s leagues, there are questions whether or not it can be sustainable. Morgan might just be the power boost it needs in order to keep it going for many years to come.
