Alex Morgan spent most of her career competing at the highest levels of soccer. But now, after retiring from the professional league in 2024, she’s returning to her hometown of Diamond Bar, California, where it all began — and using the platform that sports gave her to help create new opportunities for the next generation.

Giving back is a big deal for Morgan. In 2023, she founded the Alex Morgan Foundation, which creates access for girls and boys to play sports and works to lower the barriers that prevent young athletes from getting involved. And now, the latest iteration of this goal is taking place at Diamond Bar’s Pantera Park, Morgan’s childhood park, where she has partnered with CVS Health to create a new Mini Pitch System. The space gives kids a safe, high-quality place to play without needing to join a league or make a reservation — they can simply show up with a ball and play. The park’s redevelopment will also include multi-sport spaces for basketball and pickleball, making the area a place for everyone to get active.

“This project really hits close to home in a lot of ways, and being back here in Diamond Bar is so special to me,” Morgan tells Her Campus in an exclusive interview.

Below, Morgan talks to Her Campus about returning to her hometown, why access to sports is so important, and the confidence she hopes to help instill in the next generation.

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This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Your current project brings you back to your hometown. What has this meant to you?

This project really hits close to home in a lot of ways, and being back here in Diamond Bar is so special to me. Going through the pillars of my foundation, the Alex Morgan Foundation, one of the biggest things is creating access for girls and boys to play sport, especially at the entry level, and lowering those barriers that exist today throughout our country. So being here in Diamond Bar with CVS Health to open a mini pitch in the community I grew up in and give back in that way is super important to me. I’m just so happy to be here in my community as someone who’s able to give back to a place that provided me with so much opportunity throughout my childhood.

One thing that stands out about the mini-pitch is that kids can show up and play. Why is it important to create a space that’s so accessible?

The most important thing is that kids have access to play sports in a safe, high quality place. All they have to do is show up with the ball, show up either by themselves or with friends, and have access to the benefits of sports for their health and mental well-being. That was the whole goal with the mini pitches — the two existing ones in San Diego and now the third here in Diamond Bar.

In addition to the Mini Pitch System, the Pantera Park redevelopment will also be creating multi-sport spaces for basketball and pickleball. Besides soccer, what is your favorite sport to play, or just watch, and why?

Besides soccer, I love watching tennis. I really love all racquet sports, so I’m excited that this is going to be a multi-purpose space for soccer, basketball, and pickleball. I grew up playing all different sports, so I love just being a fan of them all.

Why is investing in the next generation so important to you?

For kids to have the opportunity to play sports and gain confidence through getting on the field, the court, or whatever sport is their entry point provides so much. I know for me, growing up, I was able to gain so much self-belief and confidence through sports, and that’s what I hope these kids will be able to gain through this access to sports with the mini pitches.

For so many young athletes, you’re someone they look up to for your work both on and off the field. What’s one piece of advice you have for them as they pursue their own goals?

One piece of advice I would have to a kid pursuing their own goals is to believe in themself first and foremost, but also have a support system in place — whether that’s your parents, siblings, coach, teacher or a friend — that truly believes in you. That is so important to getting to the next level. But it starts with that self-belief.

One of your most memorable quotes is, “Keep working even when no one is watching” — that mindset clearly shaped your soccer career, but how are you applying it in your life today?

Today, I think self-accountability is really important. In a team sport, you’re held accountable by your teammates and coaches, but it starts with holding yourself accountable and wanting to bring your best every single day. When I think back to that quote, what I meant is that there’s really no cutting corners when it comes to hard work and taking it to the next level in life. You want to bring your best self every day as a representative of yourself, your family, and your community, and so that’s what I strive for.

What’s one lesson about confidence or finding yourself that you wish you knew when you were younger?

I wish that I knew it was OK to reach out to someone for help or to get that little boost of confidence. Having your support system is extremely important in continuing to move forward in your life, your sport, your profession, or whatever drives you. It takes a community.

Soccer Star Alex Morgan Is Changing The Game For Young Athletes