Alex Morgan retires with a relentless record of victories on and off the pitch | Alexander Abnos

The American has won Olympic medals and World Cups. But she was also committed to making her sport better for her colleagues

The moment that may best encapsulate Alex Morgan's time as a player happened back in March. You could hardly be blamed for missing it, though. As was often the case in a long career that Morgan abruptly announced will end this weekend, much of her impact came away from the play itself.

This moment started with the speed that was Morgan's calling card as a youngster. Just 10 minutes into the USWNT's quarter-final matchup against Colombia in the W Gold Cup, Morgan darted to pressure a loose Colombian backpass, nicked the ball to her teammate Lindsey Horan, and then continued her trajectory as Horan played a through ball into the box. Here, Morgan's veteran nous took over; she positioned her body perfectly between herself and the pursuing defender, drawing a clear foul that set up a penalty kick to break the 0-0 scoreline.