Photo credit (left): Allen Kee / ESPN Images
The ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 16 was an eventful celebration of sport, from the greatest athletes to the most memorable moments. Fittingly, U.S. Soccer was well-represented at the glamorous night.
Among the brightest stars, three connected to U.S. Soccer earned notable honors:
HONOREE: ALEX MORGAN, Icon Award
Former USWNT forward Alex Morgan retired from the sport in September 2024, ending an incredible 15-year run as one of the greatest goal scorers in the game. The California native played her final professional match with the San Diego Wave on September 8.
On Wednesday night, Morgan received the Icon Award for her remarkable career and contributions. She joined another legendary athlete and recent retiree in WNBA superstar Diana Taurasi, who was also an Icon Award honoree.
On stage at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, Taurasi spoke directly to Morgan about her great impact:
“The way you played soccer inspired me every single day. My family’s from Argentina, so I always wanted to be a soccer player, and you did all the things I wanted to do. You played with power, with grace. But more importantly, the way you opened up doors for women outside of the game is legendary.”
Back-to-back FIFA World Cup winner. No. 5 all-time in USWNT scoring. No. 9 all-time in assists. Two-time U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year. Four-time Concacaf Female Player of the Year. An ardent supporter and powerful voice in the endeavor to create equity and opportunity for girls and women in sports.
Morgan is the definition of iconic.
WINNER: Christian Pulisic, Best Soccer Player
USMNT forward Christian Pulisic won the award for Best Soccer Player of the Year at the ESPY Awards Wednesday night. He joins the likes of soccer greats Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, David Beckham and Mia Hamm as players who have won the award.
Though, this isn't the first time Pulisic has won an award for his prowess on the pitch. He's previously won U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year four times.
The Hershey, Pennsylvania native has spent the last two seasons of his club career in Italy playing for AC Milan, and he's arguably playing the best football of his career for the Serie A club. He's contributed 20 goals + assists for two consecutive seasons.
For the USMNT, his seven goal contributions – four goals and three assists - led the team last year. And he's been successful at a young age, already earning 75 international caps at the age of 26.
Pulisic was among several big-name stars such as Scottie Scheffler (golf), Shohei Ohtani (MLB) and Saquon Barkley (NFL) who were honored at this year's ESPYs as the top athletes competing in their respective sports.
HONOREE: Michele Kang, Sports Philanthropist of the Year
One of the most generous and involved champions in women’s sports is Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang, who was honored at the ESPY Humanitarian Awards. The award celebrates an individual creating measurable social change through sports using a comprehensive philanthropic funding strategy.
Kang has made several notable investments in women’s sports, including U.S. Soccer. Last year, she supported the Soccer Forward Foundation at U.S. Soccer with a special integration with her Kynisca Innovation Hub — a science-backed platform to optimize female athlete training.
Earlier, Kang made the largest philanthropic investment in U.S. Soccer’s women’s and girls’ programs and the most generous donation ever made to U.S. Soccer by a woman. Her $30 million, five-year pledge to U.S. Soccer will develop players, scale competitive opportunities for youth players, drive professional coaching pathways and improve talent identification.
Overall, Kang has invested $55 million in the Federation, creating a collaborative and supportive partnership that is in step with her philanthropy, dedication to women’s sports, and this recent honor.
