Two legends of American women’s soccer, Alex Morgan and Mia Hamm, returned to the field this Saturday at Rawlinson Stadium at the University of Southern California (USC), although this time it was for a charitable cause. The two organized and spearheaded the Goal Cup, an event to benefit the Alex Morgan Foundation and the Mia Hamm Foundation, organizations dedicated to expanding sporting access and opportunities for girls and women.
Morgan, co-captain of the United States national team between 2018 and 2020, has maintained an active presence in the sport after her retirement from professional soccer in 2024. In addition to her career as a player, she is an investor in various sports projects, including Trybe Ventures, a firm that is developing an indoor golf league. The former forward is also a minority investor in the NWSL Wave, her last team as a professional.
During the event, the former American goalscorer highlighted the influence that Hamm had on her career and the growth of women’s soccer.
Alex Morgan (center) also shared a moment before the game with the United States players, who came to watch the game.
(Angel Almada/Special for LA Times en Español)
“She is the person who inspired me from the beginning. I am very proud to be here with her,” said Morgan, 36, before the match that was played with smaller dimensions than regular football.
The Diamond Bar-raised world champion and Olympic medalist also underlined her enthusiasm to continue promoting women’s sport on different fronts, including investment.
“It’s fantastic to see how women’s sports continue to grow. I’m trying to do my part, both by supporting the next generation and by investing in women’s sports teams and leagues,” said Morgan, who celebrated being at the event surrounded by people who support women’s soccer.
Mia Hamm chats with the guests before the exhibition game on Saturday afternoon.
(Angel Almada/Special for LA Times en Español)
Morgan also referred to upcoming key events on the international calendar, such as the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, which for the first time will feature more teams in the women’s branch than in the men’s. Likewise, he highlighted the impact that the 2026 Men’s World Cup will have, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada in the summer.
“It’s going to be very exciting. There is already an increase in the number of children who want to play soccer. There will be more interested brands and more digital platforms focused on this sport,” said Morgan. “I think it will be positive for the economy, for the country and for the representation of football. I hope the team goes far, perhaps until the quarterfinals.”
For her part, Hamm, a two-time world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, shared the field with her husband, Nomar Garciaparra, former player for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston White Sox.
Hamm, a forward for the US national team between 1987 and 2004, highlighted the importance of soccer in the United States, especially with the matches that will be played at SoFi Stadium during the World Cup, two of which will be for the US team.
“This country knows how to organize great events, and the World Cup is the biggest in the world. We are very excited,” he said before the celebrity match.
The former player also compared the evolution of soccer since the 1994 World Cup and the 1999 Women’s World Cup, highlighting the greater access to international leagues and the practice of the sport today.
Both Hamm and her husband, Nomar Garciaparra, have been investors in soccer for years, allowing them to closely observe its development in the United States. Both are LAFC investors in the MLS.
Garciaparra, who grew up playing soccer in Southern California before excelling in Major League baseball, highlighted the growth of soccer in EU.
“There is a lot of momentum and enthusiasm in the country to host the World Cup,” Garciaparra, originally from Whittier, California.
Among the participants of the meeting were also former international players, such as Canadian Lauren Sesselmann, Olympic medalist, who expressed her enthusiasm at the proximity of the 2026 World Cup.
“It’s a tournament where anyone can win, and that’s what makes it so exciting. I’m very excited about the group that Canada has and the work that Jesse Marsch is doing,” concluded Sesselmann, who represented the Canadian team between 2011 and 2015.
The event was also attended by several players from the United States team, which faces Paraguay in Carson in a friendly match on Saturday. Both Morgan and Hamm spoke with them prior to the exhibition match.
