“I Missed Way More Penalties” – Landon Donovan Defends Alex Morgan After Missed Penalty and 4–1 Defeat in Her Final Game

A mixed feeling is all we could say after watching Alex Morgan‘s retirement match. Everyone was hoping for the USWNT icon to bask in glory and create her own magical moment on the pitch. However, things didn’t go according to plan as not only did San Diego Waves endure a poor defeat, but Morgan failed to convert from the spot. While it kept the retiring forward in a negative light, manager Landon Donovan has come in support of his disciple, insisting it’s ‘just part of the game.’

During the post-match press conference, while addressing the unfortunate thrashing at Snapdragon Stadium, the former USMNT forward sympathized with Morgan, urging not to sink her head in dismay. “I missed way more penalties than [Alex Morgan] did in my career. It’s just part of the game,” said Donovan. But is this actually true? Fear not, we have some numbers to prove.

Notably, Landon Donovan has taken over 56 penalties throughout his career both on the international and domestic front. Out of this tally, he has netted 51 and missed just 5. That’s surely a good ratio but what about Morgan? Drum rolls please, the 35-year-old has taken 21 penalty kicks, out of which she has scored 16 penalties while missing 5.

Given that Donovan has taken and scored more penalties than Morgan, it’s hard to decide the conversion or missing ratio. However, one thing is certain both have missed the same number of penalties. Well, missing from the spot was justified, but not the loss that the Waves endured at their home ground.

The goal frenzy started early as Haley Hopkins gave North Carolina a lead just four minutes in. Around the 10th minute, the Waves had a chance to equalize with a penalty. However, Casey Murphy saved her spot-kick, denying Morgan a perfect farewell moment. Interestingly, defender Kennedy Wesley leveled the score shortly after, thanks to an assist from María Sánchez. But after Morgan’s emotional exit from the game, things tattered for Landon Donovan’s side.

Felicitas Rauch quickly restored North Carolina’s lead, and Malia Berkely gave her second assist to Bianca St-Georges to make it 3-1 by halftime. The second half brought more misfortune for the Wave, with Kailen Sheridan sent off near the hour mark, and a late goal from Meredith Speck confirmed a 4-1 defeat after a VAR review.

The defeat couldn’t have come at a worse time as Morgan was forced to curtain her career on a sour note. But what is the justification for lower attendance?

Not a sold-out show for Alex Morgan’s unfortunate retirement party

A crowd of just 26,516 managed to make it to San Diego’s 35,000-seater Snapdragon Stadium. While the final attendance isn’t too bad, a box office crowd was expected to make it to the venue, not for San Diego Waves, but at least for Alex Morgan. Given it was the US international’s final game, one can say that almost one of the stands must have remained empty on such an occasion.

However, we won’t completely blame the fans. On the contrary, during Megan Rapinoe’s final game, a mammoth 34,130 fans came but that was an NWSL Challenge Cup. Also, today, there was a heat wave alert which makes it understandable for fans to avoid the game. Yet, the already present fans didn’t let down Morgan, giving a perfect standing ovation when she left the pitch in the 13th minute.

But just as they ‘God’s Plan,’ it wasn’t Alex Morgan’s day. For now, we wish the USA icon the best of luck in her future endeavors.