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Alex morgan rides the wave to her new hometown.

alex morgan house tour

By Beau Lynott

Alex Morgan and daughter

Alex Morgan with daughter Charlie

San Diego Wave FC

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Updated October 21, 2022

Alex Morgan can hardly believe her good fortune.

“This is where me and my husband always said we wanted to settle down and have a family,” the U.S. women’s soccer star says of her new hometown, San Diego. “It was a long-term vision for us. I never thought I would be able to be here and play soccer.”

I spoke with Morgan on a cool, cloudy morning before practice with her new team, the expansion  San Diego Wave FĂștbol Club  of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The club trains at the Polo Fields in the shadow of the Rancho Santa Fe foothills. A light mist carries the smell of fresh-cut grass and nearby horse stables as we talk on the side of a perfectly manicured soccer pitch.

Morgan is a SoCal kid, born and raised in eastern Los Angeles County. “A lot of my memories are right here at the Polo Fields, for a Surf Cup or coming down with my family for soccer tournaments,” she says. “Then, getting to know [her husband] Servando in college, I got to visit San Diego a lot more. So it wasn’t that far away from us, and now to be able to get to know the community on a personal level, it’s so fun.”

Alex Morgan and daughter play soccer

Alex Morgan and daughter play soccer

Morgan’s husband Servando Carrasco is a San Diego/Tijuana native  and a professional soccer player himself. They met as undergrads at Berkeley, then followed each other around the country and world throughout their careers. Late last year, Morgan engineered a trade from the Orlando Pride, her professional club of six years, to Wave FC. They’ve settled in coastal North County, where they’re raising their 2-year-old daughter Charlie.

Alex Morgan and daughter - strong

Alex Morgan and daughter – strong

Morgan is a big star in the soccer universe. She played a major role for the U.S. national team in a FIFA World Cup Final at barely 21 years old, scoring a goal and notching an assist in an overtime loss to Japan. She won Olympic gold the following year, then helped lead the American women to consecutive World Cup trophies in 2015 and 2019.

Most recently, Morgan and her teammates scored a historic victory in a battle for equal pay . She was one of five U.S. women’s soccer players who filed a wage discrimination claim in 2016. The players contended that they had been systematically underpaid for years compared with the men’s national team. The women’s team has won four World Cup titles since 1991, while the American men have never won the World Cup, nor have come close to doing so in modern history.

It was the beginning of a long and contentious campaign that culminated in a landmark agreement splitting compensation equally between the men’s and women’s national teams, the first such deal in any sport worldwide. The U.S. soccer federation finalized separate contracts with the men’s and women’s players’ unions in September. The new agreements include identical pay structures for appearances and tournament victories, revenue sharing, and equitable distribution of World Cup prize money.

“It’s a huge step forward for soccer and for women’s sports,” Morgan says. “It’s already made a huge impact in the last six years of challenging the norm, breaking down barriers, and helping other women athletes fight for their value as well. We saw the long-term effect of this fight, and we all committed to it. It is definitely an accomplishment to be able to stand here today and know that we have equal pay treatment with our male counterparts on the international stage.”

Alex Morgan and team

Alex Morgan and team

Crucial to that accomplishment were players with a significant platform leading the charge, athletes already making good money who gave up hundreds of hours of their lives to fight for an important principle with tangible results.

“I think you have to use your voice if you have the platform to do so,” Morgan says. “I am fortunate enough to be one of those people. Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn—all of these players, myself included, really tried to use our voice. We know that we’re not going to be the ones who will benefit the most from this equal pay agreement moving forward. I only have a few years of soccer left. The ones who are going to reap the most benefits are the next generation.”

Morgan sees a lot of unrealized potential in San Diego and projects a bright future for her new—and ideally last— professional club. “I think there is something very untapped about San Diego,” she says. “Each person right now has a big part in how this team will be embedded in this city. The direction that this club and this crest will go, whether it’s lateral, whether it’s up—it’s not going to go down.”

San Diego’s first top-division women’s soccer club has a heavyweight franchise core. Billionaire Ron Burkle, a part-time resident of a $30 million La Jolla Farms estate, is the team’s owner. Team president Jill Ellis won back-to-back FIFA World Cups as head coach of the U.S. women’s national team, and head coach Casey Stoney brings an extensive pedigree as a player and coach in English soccer.

Alex Morgan kick

Alex Morgan kick

With all that background and experience in the front office, Alex Morgan’s star power and goal scoring conferred instant credibility to the new franchise on the field. Morgan won the Golden Boot as the league’s top scorer with 15 goals, and Wave FC became the first NWSL expansion team to make the playoffs in its first season.

“We’re setting up something amazing, bringing women’s professional sports to the city of San Diego for the first time in many years,” Morgan says. “I think that’s important because it increases accessibility for the next generation, for the girls. Not only playing soccer, but sports in general, here in the city and the greater area of San Diego, to look up to us and have that dream of wanting to be a professional athlete.”

It’s striking how down-to-earth an athlete of Morgan’s stature comes across. She is genuinely grateful for the opportunity here. “This is the first city since growing up in Diamond Bar where I feel at home,” she says. “It’s where I see myself living indefinitely, raising my children and having a family here.”

Morgan says she’s “already in love” with San Diego, though she concedes she still has a lot to learn. “I intend to and want to,” she says about growing her knowledge about her new home base.

“I want people to also understand something amazing that we’re building here,” Morgan says. “And that I’m very proud to help bring this women’s team to San Diego. We’re so proud to represent this city and we’re here to stay for the long term. We can’t wait to have a massive fan base, hopefully bring great success to this city and championships as well.”

Alex Morgan on the field

Alex Morgan on the field

Alex Morgan San Diego Wave FC

Alex Morgan San Diego Wave FC

Alex Morgan and daughter at beach

Alex Morgan and daughter at beach

Alex Morgan/San Diego Wave FC

Beau is a freelance writer and longtime San Diegan. He has covered sports and other topics in multiple outlets, is a statistician for national television broadcasts, and is a licensed private investigator.

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The Stunning Transformation Of Alex Morgan

young Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan is the face of United States women's soccer . She was named the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year  and U.S. national team co-captain in 2018, and the American soccer star has a huge  social media following  with 9.3 million Instagram followers, as of this writing. It also doesn't hurt that she has made a name for herself outside of the sport with countless endorsements and appearances in Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue multiple times. Just don't let her outside ventures — or her good looks — fool you. "I think maybe in the beginning, people saw her just as a pretty face who scored goals," her teammate Megan Rapinoe told  The Washington Post .  "But she's so much more than that."

Indeed she is. Morgan has a chance to go down as one of the greatest U.S. women's soccer players of all time. But just how did she get to this point? Here is the stunning transformation of Alex Morgan.

Alex Morgan was coached by her dad

Alex Morgan realized when she was 7 years old that she had fallen in love with the game of soccer. And because the sport was important to her, it became important to her dad as well. But he had to start from scratch when it came to learning about soccer. She told The Players Tribune   that her dad "didn't know the first thing about soccer" and that he took referee classes and later coaching classes. When she was 9 years old, her father became her coach. She told Soccer America  that it was pretty normal for players' parents to serve as coaches during her American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) days in Southern California.

When Morgan was in high school, her dad worked out with her three times a week and would play goalkeeper during shooting drills. She told Soccer America  that her mom was the "super positive" parent and her dad "was the thinker who wanted me to see how I could make myself better and help the team." But he knew when to back off. "When my dad wanted to talk about soccer-specific stuff and I didn't want to hear it," Morgan said, "I would tell him and he'd listen."

Alex Morgan faced a major sports injury

Things were looking good for Alex Morgan when she headed into her senior year of high school. She was called up to the Under-20 national team, according to ESPN . But everything came to a screeching halt when Morgan — then 17-years old —  tore her ACL during a U-20 scrimmage with the men's junior national team. "It was a turning point in my life," Morgan told USA Today . "I struggled emotionally the most. I depended on soccer so much." She continued, "It was tough doing the same exercises, not being able to run, forgetting how to run when I was first on the treadmill."

Morgan missed some of her senior season while rehabbing, but her mom chose to look on the bright side. Pam Morgan told USA Today , "It gave her six months to understand what was taken from her and what she had to do to get it back." The soccer star would continue with rehab when she started college at the University of California at Berkeley and focus on her return to soccer.

Alex Morgan's star-making turn

Alex Morgan's profile was on the rise towards the end of her career at the University of California, Berkeley . She made her debut for the U.S. women's national team in 2010 and was  selected first  by the Western New York Flash in the 2011 Women's Professional Soccer draft. But it wasn't until the 2011 World Cup that she would truly shine and become a star. As noted by Sports Illustrated , Morgan scored for the U.S. in the semifinals and again in a losing effort in the final, which is all the more impressive when you consider she was the youngest member on the squad at 22 years old.

She told CNN that playing for the U.S. team was initially "intimidating to say the least." She noted, "I joined a team with women who I had looked up to for years," and she wondered, "How was I supposed to fit in with them?" Obviously, Morgan would end up fitting in just fine.

Alex Morgan became one of the world's most marketable athletes

Nothing was ever the same after Alex Morgan's introduction at the 2011 World Cup . She has since landed endorsement deals with Nike , McDonald's, Tampax , Chapstick , Panasonic , Nationwide ,  Coca-Cola , and Beats by Dre , among others. Her children's book series,  The Kicks ,  made the New York Times'  best seller list and was turned into a TV series for Amazon Prime. And, in what was a first for a woman's soccer player, she landed on the cover of the FIFA video game franchise's 2016 U.S. edition , along with soccer icon Lionel Messi.

It's no wonder Morgan — who makes seven figures in endorsements, according to her agent's comments in espnW —  is a regular on SportsPro's annual 50 Most Marketable lists. But she claims she's selective about which companies she associates with, telling espnW , "I like to be authentic about who I am and what I promote." It's unclear just how much McDonald's an athlete like Morgan eats, but, hey, make that money!

Alex Morgan struggled with her self-confidence

Alex Morgan has long been an advocate for body positivity. She told CNN , "It's important to accept your body for what God gave you," and she echoed these sentiments in an interview with The Post Game , stating, "So whether your body is athletic, or skinny, or big-boned, it doesn't matter. You should love it no matter what." That includes loving her big calves. People make fun of them, Morgan told Shape , adding, "But it's the one body part I am proud of because it's something I was naturally gifted with."

There have been, however, moments when Morgan has felt insecure about her body. Yes, even an athlete with movie star good looks and solid abs like Morgan struggles with that sort of thing. After she posed in one of  Sports Illustrated 's swimsuit issues , trolls attacked her for having a small chest. "People were saying she looked like a 13-year-old boy," her sister Jeri told espnW , adding that that the comments had Morgan contemplating a boob job. Clearly everyone struggles with maintaining confidence in their appearance.

Alex Morgan found love through soccer

Alex Morgan can thank soccer for helping her find her husband. She began dating Servando Carrasco while they were playing for the women's and men's soccer teams, respectively, at University of California, Berkeley. The college sweethearts later tied the knot on New Year's Eve in 2014 (via People ). Like Morgan, Carrasco plays the sport professionally, and he is a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy . He told the Seattle Times that he and Morgan give each other feedback after games and that they hold nothing back: "We definitely criticize each other. I'm not going to lie."

Because Carrasco plays in Los Angeles and Morgan plays on the opposite side of the country in Orlando, Fla., they don't get to see each other during their respective seasons as much as they'd like. Morgan wrote on Instagram that it was a challenge "living across the country from the most important person in [her] life," noting, "Sometimes the sacrifices we make for football knows no boundaries."

The story behind Alex Morgan's pink headband

There is a special reason Alex Morgan wears her trademark pink headband during matches. It's, in part, a tribute to her mother-in-law, Gloria Carrasco, who is a  breast cancer survivor, according to espnW . As pink is the official color of breast cancer awareness, Morgan has been wearing the pink headband since college, around the time when Carrasco first revealed her diagnosis to her son.

But that's not the only reason for Morgan's pink headband, which, we should note, is actually kinesiology tape that trainers use to protect an athlete's skin from bandages. Morgan likes that it helps her stand out on the field. "I think my parents just could pick me out from a crowd," Morgan told Mueller Sports Wrap , adding that she also likes how the pink headband looks. "You know, pink is one of my favorite colors." And she rocks the color!

Alex Morgan embraced her good looks

Alex Morgan isn't ashamed to capitalize on her looks. And why should she be? She's beautiful, not to mention a lookalike for Girls actress Allison Williams , as has been pointed out. Morgan's pretty face has been great for her marketability, and, in her opinion, it's also good for the sport. "I've obviously done certain things, like Sports Illustrated swimsuit, that has guys interested in me not for what I put on the field," Morgan told espnW . "But at the end of the day, they're going to turn on the TV next time we have a game."

Unlike many of her teammates, Morgan, who walked the runway at New York Fashion Week in 2012, opts to wear makeup during matches. But applying makeup wasn't always a concern of hers. "I was the biggest tomboy growing up," Morgan told Shape . "Now I love playing with a full face of makeup." She added, "When I prepare for a match, it's like work, even the way I have to shower and put on my makeup."

This World Cup win was bittersweet for Alex Morgan

The U.S. women's national team bounced back from its disappointing runner-up finish in the 2011 World Cup by winning the 2015 World Cup . Five days later, the squad was honored with a ticker tape parade through the streets of New York. But the experience was bittersweet for Alex Morgan, who had been battling a knee injury throughout the tournament and would undergo surgery a week after the parade.

Morgan told espnW , "I was held back a little bit, and I didn't reach my personal expectations or goals, even though it was probably one of the best years of my career." She went on, "If I had been healthier throughout the year, consistently, I could have made a bigger impact for my club team and for my country."

Of course, the fact that her team reached the pinnacle of the sport wasn't lost on her. "But at the same time, I don't want to complain because it was a great year," Morgan said, "and a lot of things went my way and went the team's way."

Alex Morgan learned from her mistakes

Quite possibly the only blemish on Alex Morgan's squeaky clean resume took place in 2017 at Epcot of all places. Morgan and her friends were kicked out of the Disney World theme park and accused of trespassing, according to the Orlando Sentinel , which cited an Orange County Sheriff's Office incident report. The report stated that they were "impaired" and that they "were all being very loud and belligerent toward staff around guests."

Morgan posted a group photo on Instagram earlier that day with the caption, "Annual around the world in 8 hours. No big." This is a reference to the popular tradition of bar-hopping at Epcot's World Showcase . That explains the group's alleged behavior and perhaps the most memorable part of the Orange County Sheriff's report: Apparently Morgan loudly claimed that she knows the Orlando SWAT team. The things people say and do when they've been drinking ...

No charges were filed, but Morgan took responsibility for the incident afterward. She tweeted , "I want to apologize for my actions that occurred over the weekend. I will learn from this [and] make sure it does not happen again. #liveandlearn."

Don't let Alex Morgan's pretty face fool you

Alex Morgan is one the world's best soccer players. The former FIFA World Player of the Year finalist  won the U.S. Female Soccer Player of the Year award in 2018 and was ranked the no. 7 female player in the world by The Guardian . But those accolades are presumably just not good enough for the " super competitive " Morgan. Why? Well, her goal is to become the best women's player in the world. "I still have a way to go," Morgan told The Guardian   in 2017. "I hope to get there this year or next year." 

In an effort to improve her game, Morgan joined French club Lyon, which is largely considered to be the world's best women's soccer team, on a six-month loan in 2017. She figured that she needed to train with the best to become the best. In 15 games with Lyon, Morgan scored an impressive 12 goals. TrĂšs bien!

Lights! Cameras! Alex Morgan!

With her movie star good looks and huge following, Alex Morgan was bound to find herself in Hollywood at some point. In 2018, she played herself in the film  Alex & Me , a movie that revolves around a 13-year-old girl who aspires to become the next Morgan on the soccer field. You'd think a super fit athlete like Morgan would have little problem finding the energy for a film shoot, but she admitted that the process was "exhausting." She told Pro Soccer USA , "I'm not used to working 10 to 12 hours a day. I'm used to my three or four hours of intense work and then getting the rest of the afternoon off."

But this probably won't be the last we see of Morgan in film and television. "I want to explore as many opportunities as I can," Morgan told Pro Soccer USA . She explained, "My soccer career's not going to last forever," adding, "For me, it's exploring what I want to do after soccer and what I'm happy with and also networking through different lines of work." You can't blame her for planning ahead.

Alex Morgan joined the fight for equal pay

Alex Morgan has no problem challenging authority. She has been vocal about the pay disparity between the U.S. men's and women's national teams and was one of many women's players to file a gender discrimination lawsuit against U.S. Soccer in 2019, appropriately enough, on International Women's Day. Morgan told Pro Soccer USA , "This isn't just about us; It's about women in all industries. Women fight for equality every single day. Our hope is that we not only set up ourselves, we set up the next generation as well."

And it's not just about pay either. The women also deal with inferior travel and lodging that the men do not, despite the fact that the women's team has won multiple World Cups while the men's team has never won a single one, as of this writing. Morgan told Good Morning America , "We have created a lot of revenue for U.S. Soccer throughout the years, and, you even saw from 2015, we had the most watched U.S. soccer game in history with the women's World Cup final."

Alex Morgan is a cover girl

Alex Morgan is a Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue veteran. She appeared inside the highly anticipated issue in 2012 and 2014 . But in 2019, Morgan graced one of three Sports Illustrated swimsuit covers  ( Tyra Banks and Camille Kostek appear on the other two covers).

Why Morgan? Why now? Because the Women's World Cup is in 2019 and Morgan, as co-captain of the tournament favorite U.S. women's national team, figures to play a prominent role in the tournament. And, according to Sports Illustrated swimsuit editor MJ Day's comments in People , because Morgan "stands for feminine strength and power, using her voice to fight for gender discrimination and equal pay."

Morgan was joined inside the issue by teammates Megan Rapinoe , Crystal Dunn, and Abby Dahlkemper, all of whom she personally hand-picked for the shoot. "I felt like it was important to really show the diversity of this team, as well as show the youth and the experienced players," Morgan told Sports Illustrated .

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Alex Morgan’s Home in Diamond Bar, California

The most famous soccer player to come out of Diamond Bar, California: Alex Morgan . While there are a bunch of cool, funny and interesting things in this MTV cribs like video of Alex Morgan’s childhood home in Diamond Bar, California, what stands out the most is how competitive she was as a young girl and how much she wanted to win.

It didn’t matter if she was competing against boys or girls, playing video games, tether ball, basketball, or soccer, she wanted to win. You’d have to say her competitive attitude along with her natural athletic ability both played a big part in helping her get to where she is today – one of the best women’s soccer players in the game.

Perhaps the luckiest guy in the video is the young gentleman who went to “Winter Formal” with Alex Morgan back in high school. However, Morgan doesn’t say anything about the lad, she just says she loved that dress she wore. Hey, at least his picture still up at her house!

Here’s Part II of Alex Morgan’s visit back home to Diamond Bar where she visits her high school and talks about how she tore her ACL her senior year but thinks the injury actually made her mentally stronger and reaffirmed her passion and love for the game. Again, Morgan’s determination show through in her story and why she’s now one of the best soccer players in the women’s game.

New : Alex Morgan Shooting Drills and Alex Morgan’s workout routine.

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Column: Alex Morgan has found San Diego bliss with Wave

San Diego Wave FC player Alex Morgan and her husband Servando Carrasco watch the Padres last month at Petco Park.

NWSL star embraces her new city, envisions long run here for women’s soccer club

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Alex Morgan, a global soccer star who recently adopted San Diego as her home, can’t be accused of short-term thinking going into the San Diego Wave Futbol Club’s regular-season home opener, a 7 p.m. match Saturday at the University of San Diego.

“We want this club to be a team that goes from generation to generation of people in San Diego,” said the U.S. national team striker, who in December engineered a trade from Orlando to the newly formed Wave. “We want this to be the best representation of the greater region of San Diego, and we’re building a foundation to be able to say that we doing that. We’re happy to be representing San Diego.

“It’s a process to start a franchise and grow it from the ground up,” said Morgan. “But this organization is putting all of the pieces into place to be successful to represent San Diego in the best way possible and to bring women’s sports back to San Diego.”

With some 10 million followers on social media, Morgan is the most recognized woman to play for a San Diego sports team and an international ambassador for her sport.

The 12-team National Women’s Soccer League, entering its 10 th season, has seven years on the women’s soccer league whose demise in 2003 ended the San Diego Spirit’s three-year run.

Morgan, who grew up east of Los Angeles, said she’ll live year-round in San Diego. She and her husband, Servando Carrasco, who grew up in Tijuana and Coronado, are big fans of the city and region.

“This was always the place I had my eyes on,” she said, when asked if she considered joining the NWSL’s new team in Los Angeles.

“We didn’t think that I’d ever get the chance to (both) live here and play here,” she said. “I was really happy in Orlando, but it had been six years that I was there, and I was ready to be back to be closer to family. Having a daughter now that’s turning 2 next week, I wanted her to grow up with her cousins and her grandparents. So, it was important for us to eventually make our way back West.”

The NWSL’s original plans for West Coast expansion didn’t include San Diego. When his bid failed to land Major League Soccer and NWSL clubs in Sacramento, L.A. billionaire Ron Burkle got San Diego into the women’s league.

To Morgan, it was a soccer ball bouncing her way near the goal mouth.

“I’m just really happy in all areas of life right now,” said the 5-foot-7 forward, who had four of the Wave’s nine goals in the preseason and played most of Sunday’s regular-season opener, a 1-0 victory at Houston.

Expounding on her San Diego bliss, she responded as she often does in interviews. Her reply was, like soccer itself, long on flow. An endorsement machine by age 23, when her fellow endorsers of a Coke were LeBron James and Jennifer Aniston, she’s deft at slaloming to talking points.

“My soccer play is one big piece of it, but that’s not everything,” she said. “Being a part of this community, knowing that we’re growing something really special with the Wave, knowing that my daughter gets to be around more family every single day, knowing that we just feel so settled in a place that we’re able to call home both in season and out of season, as a representative of the city on behalf of the Wave ... we feel extremely lucky and very happy to be living here.”

She may be new to San Diego, but she’s not unfamiliar with San Diego sports thanks to her husband, a St. Augustine High alum whose grandfather had Padres and Chargers season tickets

Morgan donned a pinstriped Padres jersey last month before she and Wave teammate Abby Dahlkemper threw ceremonial pitches at Petco Park.

Alex Morgan and Abby Dahlkemper of San Diego Wave FC threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Petco Park before game in April.

As for supporting the NFL team that Dean Spanos and siblings moved out of San Diego in 2017?

That’s a non-starter — for both the San Diego newcomer and her husband.

“I had been to a few Chargers games before they turned to the dark side,” Morgan said. “And now, we cannot name that team in our household anymore.”

Fans looking for Morgan on the soccer pitch won’t have much trouble spotting her. Though she has played both wings spots and center, she’s easy to spot because one or two opponents are almost always next to her. It’s her lot for having amassed 115 goals and 45 assists in 190 matches with the U.S. national team.

She shares not only an on-field versatility but a jersey number — 13 — with Padres star Manny Machado. Thirteen is a historic number for many Latino players who play shortstop, which was Machado’s position when he entered professional baseball. Morgan chose 13 when she began playing youth club soccer at 13. “It was always the number available on teams because people think it’s unlucky so I started using it as my lucky number,” she said.

Can she and the Wave turn their first season into one of six playoff berths?

The answer will come between now and late September, when the 22-game season ends.

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San Diego Wave midfielder Savannah McCaskill, right, shoots past Seattle Reign midfielder Angharad James during an NWSL soccer match, Friday, March 29, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Wave fall again to Reign in Seattle; latest loss ‘doesn’t sit well with anybody’

Reign ‘went up a gear and we went down a gear,’ San Diego Wave coach Casey Stoney says after 2-1 loss

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San Diego, CA - April 27: San Diego Wave FC's Makenzy Doniak (15) and Kyra Carusa (19) celebrate a goal against Bay City FC during their game at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, April 27, 2024 in San Diego, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Wave head to Seattle, where the turf is fake and the Reign are real

FIFA banned fake-grass fields at the Women’s World Cup last summer. In wet Seattle, a synthetic field pays the bills.

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San Diego, CA - April 27: San Diego Wave FC players celebrate a goal against Bay City FC during their game at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, April 27, 2024 in San Diego, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Wave ‘more like us’ in 2-1 win over Bay FC at Snapdragon Stadium

Makenzy Doniak, Jaedyn Shaw score in win over Bay FC

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New San Diego Wave FC player Maria Sanchez.

Wave look to MarĂ­a SĂĄnchez for offensive spark, starting Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium

Forward has compiled goals and assists with professional teams in United States and Mexico plus Mexico’s national team.

April 26, 2024

Houston Dash's MarĂ­a SĂĄnchez (7) handles the ball during an NWSL soccer match, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Cary, N.C. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

Wave acquire Mexican National Team soccer star MarĂ­a SĂĄnchez in trade with Dash

San Diego pays a big price to acquire striker: $300K in transfer funds, $200K in allocation money and an international slot in 2024 and 2025

April 23, 2024

Team USA's Alex Morgan Shares How She and Taylor Swift Have Supported Each Other's Careers (Exclusive)

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The United States' women's soccer team is ready to roll!

The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off on Thursday, and ET's Will Marfuggi spoke with some members of Team USA before they flew to Australia and New Zealand to try and defend their reigning title once again.

With a roster spanning everyone from 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson, making her World Cup debut, to 38-year-old Megan Rapinoe , who is gearing up for her fourth, there's a range of nerves and excitement among the world-class players, but all of them told ET that they just couldn't wait to get on the pitch.

"I feel excited. I'm not super nervous," shared Sophia Smith, 22, who is also headed to her first-ever World Cup and said she feels "fortunate" for the team's veteran presence. "I'm just trying to embrace it all. This is a dream come true and I'm excited. I'm anxious for the first game to just start, because it's a long lead up. I'm just ready to play."

Also new to the team this time around is 21-year-old Trinity Rodman, the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman and Michelle Moyer, who has pro-level competition in her blood.

"My mom and dad are very competitive -- and then my dad just has the experience at that level," she shared. "So it's genetic, but also I think there's something in my soul that, like, doesn't like losing."

On the other side of the roster are returning stars like Alex Morgan , Julie Ertz and Crystal Dunn, who have earned their spot on the team once again after taking varying amounts of time away from the game to have children.

"I enjoyed my journey because I felt like I was still an athlete," shared Dunn, who welcomed her first child with her husband, athletic trainer Pierre Soubrier, in May 2022.  "For me, I still stayed around the game.... I was there at training. I was doing passing patterns for a good long while until I was like, 'All right, I can't see my feet.'"

Dunn said that her Team USA teammates were incredibly supportive of her during her pregnancy and since giving birth, and were there "every step of the way."

"I think that's the biggest message I'd give others is like, you can't do it alone," she added. "Single parents, I commend them, because it really does take a village and I'm somebody that loves to lean on others who are willing to give me help."

Team USA debuted their roster last month in star-studded fashion, with celebrities from sports, music, politics and more announcing each player in an epic social media video. Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin introduced Smith, Dunn got some epic praise from Lil Wayne, and Rodman had a "full-circle moment" getting a shout-out from Shaquille O'Neal.

However, Morgan is pretty certain she had the best celeb announcement, from longtime pal and fan Taylor Swift.

"I mean, she's honestly one of the best humans that I've ever come across," raved the 34-year-old forward, Team USA's leading scorer. "She is so supportive. She's all about women empowerment. We both share our favorite number, number 13, born the same year, in 1989. We've just been really supportive of each other's careers."

Morgan attended a recent performance of Swift's ongoing Eras Tour -- calling it "incredible" -- and says she hopes to return to a show hoisting the World Cup trophy, just like the team did in 2015, during Swift's 1989 World Tour.

"I'm looking forward to hopefully doing that again," she shared.

If all goes well, Team USA will extend their reign as the winningest team in Women's World Cup history with five victories. Only one other country has more than one -- Germany, who won in both 2003 and 2007.

So, if there's one day a movie made about their triumphant run, who would the players want to play them?

For Dunn, the answer is easy: " Kerry Washington ."

"I mean, everyone loves Scandal ," she noted. "She's obviously amazing. So I'd love for her to play me."

"I've been told I look like Madison Bailey from Outer Banks ," Smith said. "So I feel in terms of, like, lookalikes, that's who would play me."

Rodman's answer was also instant: " Zendaya . She's, like, my favorite celebrity. So that would be pretty sick."

The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off Thursday, July 20. Click here to find out how to watch!

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Celeb Sports Fans Get Their Cheer On

  • Women's World Cup
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Close Friends Taylor Swift and Soccer Star Alex Morgan's heartwarming Moments

With taylor swift being one of the world's best-selling female musicians and alex morgan holding her reputation as one of the most recognizable faces of women's soccer, it's no secret that the two are friends. let's have a look at their heartwarming moments., how are taylor swift and alex morgan friends.

While the pair of celebrities might have been aware of the other's popularity and fame for a long while, the two appeared with each other for the first time in 2015 when Swift invited the entire USWNT onstage during her 1989 World Tour in New Jersey following their Women's World Cup victory.

Alex Morgan presented the award to Taylor Swift

While presenting the first-ever team choice iconic award, Morgan mentioned that it was her honor and privilege to present the award to her friend.

Credit- Associated Press/YouTube

Taylor swift talks about alex morgan.

"The fact that she's here presenting this to me is such an honor."

Associated Press/YouTube

Taylor swift asks fans to support alex morgan and her teammates.

"While they were winning the WorldCup, they were also taking the historic stand, in terms of gender equality, the gender pay gap. Please please please, support her and her teammates."

Alex Morgan is the greatest fan of Taylor Swift's album

 "I just feel like I play the whole album on repeat, The album is amazing and now I'm really excited to go back and look at 'Fearless' because she said that she has six new songs... she added on 'Fearless."

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alex morgan house tour

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The Fort Morgan Home Tour is a self-guided tour of six Fort Morgan homes. Guest will tour three beachside homes, one lagoon front, one bay front and a home within one of Fort Morgan's neighborhoods.

Have you ever wanted to sneak a peek inside one of the stately waterfront homes in Fort Morgan? Well, you are in luck. The Fort Morgan Share the Beach Patrol is hosting a Fort Morgan House Tour fundraiser Feb. 4.

The Fort Morgan Home Tour is a self-guided tour of six Fort Morgan homes. Guest will tour three beachside homes, one lagoon front, one bay front and a home within one of Fort Morgan's neighborhoods.

"The home on the flyer, Skywalk, is the last home before you get to the refuge area," said Debbie Harbin, Fort Morgan Share the Beach team leader. "John Anderson the country singer filmed a music video there and a television program did its final episode there. The owners of the home travel the world and have decorated it so beautifully."

Harbin said all the homes offer views that most have never had an opportunity to see.

"We picked February for the tour because the Snowbirds are in town and they are always looking for something fun to do," Harbin said. "A lot of people have never been to Fort Morgan even though they have been to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. It is a way to get our beautiful community out there to the public."

alex morgan house tour

Proceeds from the Fort Morgan Home Tour directly benefit the Fort Morgan Share the Beach team to aid in the purchase of a new utility task vehicle (UTV). The Fort Morgan team covers nine miles of beaches every morning from May 1 through the end of August looking for sea turtle nests. Then, they are out nest sitting until the end of September.

Since 2011, the Fort Morgan Share the Beach team has put over 23,000 baby sea turtles into the water.

The UTV is vital to the team's work. Not only does it help them cover more ground but also carries all the equipment that is needed.

"We have a lot of equipment to carry. We have stakes, predator screen, a nest kit and a lot of other stuff. The UTV makes it a lot easier to do that," Harbin said. "The UTV we have had for the last two years we pray every time we make it off the beach. We had people that wanted to stop and talk and the last part of the season, but the brakes weren't working right so we would tell people to walk alongside us. A new UTV is desperately needed."

The Fort Morgan Share the Beach team has set a fundraising goal of $18,000, which will almost cover the cost of a new UTV. If you would like to help them reach their goal but cannot attend the event, donations can be made by visiting the Alabama Coastal Foundation website . Please make note that the donation is for Fort Morgan Share the Beach.

The Fort Morgan Home Tour is Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets for the Fort Morgan Home Tour can be purchased by visiting Eventbrite.com and searching for the name of the event. Advance purchase tickets are $25. Tickets will be available on the day of the event for $35. The tour begins at Kirksey Kabana, 17332 Michigan Drive, Gulf Shores.

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825-pound Alex Morgan statue goes on tour ahead Women’s World Cup

Special honor for america's world-class elite athlete.

FOX 5 NY's Tina Cervasio has the story.

"Wow it’s so big!" exclaimed U.S. Women’s Soccer Team Star Striker, Alex Morgan as she watched the gigantic red drape pull away to reveal a massive statue of herself.

The handmade statue is based on a 3D image of Morgan from 2019.

The statue stands 20 feet tall on top of a pedestal, and weights approximately 825 pounds. 

The details are human-like mimicking Morgan's exact shape, features and facial expression.

RELATED: USWNT World Cup Media Day 2023

"I can’t believe how realistic it is," Morgan kept reacting to the surprise presented to her by FOX Sports Emmy Award-winning National Sports Reporter, Tom Rinaldi.  

Just after the Women’s World Cup Media Day events, being held at Dignity Health Sports Park, in Carson, California … FOX 5 New York was on location for the surprise. 

Ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, FOX Sports created this towering statue in the image of Morgan - a two-time World Cup Champion, to look like the Statue of Liberty, but with Morgan holding the World Cup Trophy instead of the torch and draped in an American Flag.  

alex morgan house tour

Alex Morgan enjoys her promotional statue during the USWNT World Cup Media Day at Dignity Health Sports Park on June 27, 2023 in Carson, CA. (Photo by Robert Mora/USSF/Getty Images for USSF).

The statue is called 'Liberty Alex.'

Morgan said the gift from FOX Sports was wonderful for women’s soccer fans, USWNT fans, and her family that will be with her in Australia and New Zealand and those Americans who are also traveling to the 2023 Women’s World Cup. 

RELATED: 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup: How to watch, schedule and betting favorites

She hopes that when people see the statue it will inspire them to watch the games on FOX, and also know that it’s not just her, but it represents the entire National Team that is going to Australia on business … to win the World Cup … for the third straight time. 

Morgan says she loves that the statue is holding the World Cup trophy, "because I want to hold it again, in late August." 

Robert Gottlieb, President of Marketing for FOX Sports said Morgan was the natural choice because she is an American Icon, she is a captain, and she represents women playing sports and excelling at whatever they do at the highest level. 

Liberty Alex world tour

The statue will be going on a tour around the U.S. starting July 2 at the Men’s National Team Gold Cup match in North Carolina.

On July 11 it will be at the MLB All-Star game in Seattle.

From July 16 through July 26 the statue will be in New York City, at FOX Square on 6th Avenue. 

But after the World Cup, it will need to find a home. 

When asked where the statue might go after the World Cup, Morgan said, "Definitely not at my house, would you like to take it for your house?" Morgan offered me. "Unfortunately, my backyard’s just not big enough, but we can find a place somewhere in New York," I responded. , "…That would be nice," Morgan replied.

Morgan and the U.S. Women’s National Team kick off their defense of the Women’s World Cup in search of a three-peat Championship , on July 21 against Vietnam in their first match of the group stage.

Times of San Diego

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Local News and Opinion for San Diego

Alex Morgan Still Has the Magic: Scores Lone Goal in Wave’s Challenge Cup Win

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Alex Morgan scored the only goal to lead San Diego Wave FC to win the 2024 Challenge Cup. Photo courtesy SD Wave

Alex Morgan sent yet another message to doubters: Don’t count her out.

With a header in the 88th minute, Morgan scored the solo goal in the 2024 Challenge Cup against 2023 league champions NJ/NY Gotham to lead the San Diego Wave and win the first trophy of the season.

“The ball came straight to me, so I knew I couldn’t mess it up,” said the 34-year-old forward in a postmatch interview at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.

Wave midfielder Savannah McCaskill hit an inswinging corner placed to Morgan, recording the assist in her debut with the club. Team captain Morgan placed the header in the bottom corner.

The difference maker. The goal that secured the @sandiegowavefc 's @UKGInc NWSL Challenge Cup Championship pic.twitter.com/VD5zirE3q6 — National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 16, 2024

Game sponsor UKG will pay each San Diego player $3,500 in prize money, while players on Gotham FC will each get $2,200. 

Morgan was named the 2024 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Most Valuable Player, earning an additional $2,000 in prize money. 

This year’s one-and-done Challenge Cup gave fans their first look at new players.

San Diego welcomed seven new players to its roster during the offseason including two rookies from the 2024 NWSL draft and two international players.

Adding milestone for #13! Take a bow @AlexMorgan13 , your @UKGInc NWSL Challenge Cup MVP! pic.twitter.com/0AJbGj5f13 — National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 16, 2024

Defender Kennedy Wesley of Stanford was the Wave’s first selection in the first round (12th overall) of the draft, and forward Mya Jones was selected in the third round (47th overall) from the University of Memphis.

Kaitlyn Torpey joins the Wave from Australia after playing three seasons with Melbourne City, and Swedish defender Hanna Lundkvist joins San Diego from Atlético de Madrid.

Among other players, Savannah McCaskill joined the Wave after two seasons with Angel City where she appeared in 23 games (23 starts) while earning four goals and three assists in the 2023 season.

Naomi Girma, Jaedyn Shaw and Abby Dahlkemper started this match for the Wave. In the second half, all-time great Morgan came on to the pitch.

#mood pic.twitter.com/8rLJ9SMT0Z — National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 16, 2024

After initially being left off the national roster, Morgan was called up for the USNWT to replace an injured Mia Fishel and netted two goals in the Gold Cup competition won Sunday by the U.S. at Snapdragon Stadium.

The Wave’s first home match is 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23, against KC Current.

San Diego Wave FC wins the 2024 Challenge Cup. Photo courtesy SD Wave

San Diego clinched the Shield on Oct. 15 with a 2-0 win over Racing Louisville, finishing the season with the best regular season record in NWSL. Gotham finished the season by defeating OL Reign in a 2-1 final Nov. 11 at Snapdragon Stadium to win the 2023 NWSL championship.

In the offseason, the league formed two expansion teams: Bay FC and the Utah Royals. The Wave will host Bay FC on April 27 and Utah on May 8.

Morgan Wade with Alex Dezen

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Mershon Auditorium does not have an elevator.  Please seek help at the Box Office windows if you need help accessing your seats, have questions OR need assistance.

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Three bodies, 1,700 acres and a whole lot of hogs: Inside Alex Murdaugh’s $4m Moselle estate

The moselle estate had a mysterious past even before maggie and paul’s murders with ties to a suspected drug smuggler and a housekeeper’s fatal fall, reports rachel sharp, article bookmarked.

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The Moselle estate where the murders took place

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I t’s a case that captured the nation’s attention over the past 21 months as South Carolina legal dynasty heir Alex Murdaugh stood trial and was convicted of the brutal double murders of his wife and son.

Before returning their guilty verdict on 2 March, jurors went back to the place where it all began.

On 1 March, the jury was taken to the family’s sprawling 1,700-acre Moselle estate in Islandton, South Carolina, to see for themselves the crime scene where Maggie and Paul were killed back on 7 June 2021.

They toured the dog kennels where Murdaugh ambushed his son in the feed room, shooting him once in the chest and a second time in the head, neck and shoulder with a shotgun.

They saw where, moments after gunning down Paul, the husband and father turned on his wife Maggie.

  • Alex Murdaugh trial verdict – live: Disgraced attorney found guilty of murders as sentencing expected today
  • Murders, million-dollar fraud and mystery deaths: The story of Alex Murdaugh’s spectacular fall from grace
  • Alex Murdaugh jury to visit Moselle estate where wife and son were murdered as trial draws to close

They saw where she desperately tried to flee her killer, backing into an ATV under a hangar outside before being shot five times with a semiautomatic rifle.

But that’s not all jurors saw.

They also saw a place where another mysterious death took place just three years before the 2021 murders.

They saw a snapshot of the powerful and affluent Murdaugh family’s life given the $4m property was the place they called home for several years.

And they might have even seen some of the estate’s wild hogs – whose existence has been an unusually common mention throughout the disgraced attorney’s murder trial.

Moselle’s dark history

Bordering the banks of the Salkehatchie River, 4147 Moselle Road consists of over 1,700 acres of land including a 5,275-square-foot house, a farm, a two-mile stretch of river – and of course the dog kennels.

Before the Murdaughs called Moselle home, the property was tied to another controversial family.

It was the home of Barrett Boulware – a fisherman, suspected drug smuggler and Alex Murdaugh’s longtime friend and business partner who died in 2018.

He and his father were arrested on drug smuggling charges in 1980 when investigators seized 15 tons of marijuana from a shrimp boat in the Bahamas.

The charges were later dropped when a key government witness died.

Boulware’s name cropped up during the murder trial when jurors heard that Murdaugh had stolen $750,000 in insurance money from his friend when he was dying of colon cancer.

Murdaugh family home

Alex Murdaugh bought Moselle back in 2013 from Boulware’s wife Jeannine Morris Boulware, according to property records.

Murdaugh allegedly bought the entire property for just $5, FITS News reported – a move sometimes used so the seller can avoid paying capital gains taxes.

Moselle was just one of several homes that the high-powered attorney – and alleged financial fraudster – owned.

The family also had a home in Hampton, South Carolina, as well as a beach home in Edisto Beach.

During testimony from Murdaugh’s surviving son Buster, jurors heard how the Hampton home had been their main residence but, after it was damaged in a hurricane, the family made Moselle their main home.

However, jurors have heard how Maggie preferred to stay at Edisto Beach – especially during the summer months.

Buster testified that much of the land on Moselle was actually inaccessible and consisted of swamp land.

1,700 acres and a whole lot of hogs

Throughout the trial, jurors heard how the property’s 1,700 acres were a hunter’s paradise with dove fields, deer stands and duck ponds all over the estate.

Murdaugh, Paul and Buster – as well as their friends – would spend a lot of time riding around the estate hunting deer, duck, quail, doves and hogs.

In particular, jurors heard a lot about the hunting of wild hogs – from the time of day to hunt to the type of guns used.

Several witnesses testified that they roamed the property and caused a nuisance, and that the family – and their friends – would shoot them any chance they got.

One witness even told the court how he had killed around 1,000 hogs in his time in the area (though not just on the Murdaugh estate).

The property’s river also made it ideal for fishing and kayaking.

Mystery buyer

In the months after the murders, Murdaugh put Moselle on the market and it is currently under offer for a $3.9m bid from a mystery buyer.

The property was first listed in February 2022 – eight months after Maggie and Paul’s murders and five months before Murdaugh was charged with them – under a new name of Cross Swamp Farm.

It was later changed back to Moselle Farm.

According to the listing by the Crosby Land Co. of Colleton County, Moselle consists of 1,772 acres of “an unusually diverse habitat with varying forest types and age class distribution”.

“The landscape includes productive pine plantations, open fallow fields, and mature stands of mixed pine/hardwood, those upland regions give way to the flat bottomland of the Salkehatchie River Basin,” it reads.

“The property boasts over 2.5 miles of river frontage, offering freshwater fishing, kayaking, and abundant deer, turkey, and waterfowl populations.”

The family home was built in 2011 and consists of four bedrooms and 3.5 baths, meaning it could “easily be converted into a weekend hunting lodge with the capability to sleep up to 15 people”, the listing reads.

“This is truly a top-tier property, complete with all the improvements and amenities one would expect from a high-end sporting property with little or no deferred maintenance cost,” it reads.

A buyer – said to be a local landowner – put in an offer in June 2022. But the sale was put on hold when Murdaugh was accused of trying to offload his assets to avoid paying up in a string of lawsuits he is facing, prompting a court to freeze his assets.

Three bodies in three years

At least three deaths have now taken place on the Moselle estate.

In February 2018 – three years before Maggie and Paul’s murders – the Murdaughs’ long-term housekeeper Gloria Satterfield died in a mysterious trip and fall at the family home.

Satterfield, who worked for the family for more than 20 years, was found at the bottom of the steps leading into the family’s home after she was believed to have tripped over the pet dogs.

She never resumed consciousness and died from her injuries three weeks later on 26 February.

At the time, her death was regarded as an accidental fall.

However, her death certificate cited her manner of death as “natural” and no autopsy was performed.

Questions have now been mounting around Satterfield’s death and investigators reopened an investigation into her death in September 2021 – days after Murdaugh’s financial fraud scheme came to light.

Investigators are planning to exhume her body.

As part of his 100 financial crimes charges, Murdaugh is now charged with stealing $4m in wrongful death settlement funds from Satterfield’s family as part of his decade-long multi-million-dollar fraud scheme.

The jury tour

The jury’s tour of the murder scene came at the request of Murdaugh’s defence attorney Dick Harpootlian who said “it would be useful for the jury to see Moselle” before they decided the fate of the disgraced attorney.

It took place under tight security with Judge Clifton Newman telling jurors that they could not ask anyone any questions while there, including law enforcement, and that they could not discuss the case with each other during the trip.

The judge also advised them that some things have changed on the property in the aftermath of the murders.

“It has been a year and a half or more since June 7, 2021, since the alleged crime occurred. Things have most likely changed. We’re in a different season of the year,” he said on Tuesday afternoon.

The media was also banned from accompanying jurors on the trip, though a small media pool visited the site once the jury left.

According to a pool report from The Wall Street Journal ’s Valerie Bauerlein, the jury visit lasted around 1 hour 20 minutes in total including travel time.

The pool then briefly visited the dog kennels noting that it was “a heavy place to visit” with the feed room feeling “like a haunted place”.

While standing in the centre of the small room, she said she could not see to the left outside of the doorway where the prosecution’s expert witness said the shooter was standing.

The place where Paul’s body fell – outside the feed room – was within eyesight of and just 12 steps away from where Maggie’s body was found, she reported.

Judge Newman agreed to the jury visit on 27 February following a request from Mr Murdaugh’s defence attorney Prosecutor Creighton Waters raised an objection that the property has changed in the last 20 months, with trees between the family home and the kennels having grown significantly.

Judge Newman gave the defence a rare win and agreed to arrange the field trip to Moselle.

During the courtroom discussion, Mr Harpootlian also raised concerns about the need for security for the trip after he claimed people had been caught trespassing on the property at the weekend.

He said that Murdaugh’s brother called law enforcement to remove trespassers from Moselle as he noticed people taking selfies in front of the feed room where the brutal murders unfolded.

“There were literally dozens of people at Moselle last weekend trespassing, taking selfies in front of the feed room,” he said, condemning the “carnival attitude” of some members of the public.

After the jury visit, proceedings resumed in Colleton County Courthouse with the defence and prosecution delivering closing arguments.

The jury was sent out to deliberate on the afternoon of 2 March and returned with a guilty verdict less than three hours later.

Murdaugh will now find himself with a new, more permanent home – behind bars.

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alex morgan house tour

Beverly-Morgan Park Home Tour Showcases 'Lore And Legend' Of 5 Homes

C HICAGO – On a sprawling four-acre wooded lot in Beverly/ Morgan Park a 19th century mansion stands on the largest residential property in the city. Local lore and legend have surrounded the home for generations. Was it once a stop on the Underground Railroad? Were the grounds once home to Native American ceremonial gatherings under the grand Council Oak?

Find out how historical researchers have separated fact from fiction, and the fascinating true history that still enchants and entertains, on Sunday, May 19, noon to 5 p.m., when the Beverly Area Planning Association hosts the Beverly/Morgan Park Home Tour .

The mansion is one of five fabulous private residences — three of them with deep roots in area history — will open their doors to visitors curious to get an inside look at some of our community’s most beautiful places. The tour will begin at Smith Village , a uniquely vibrant senior care community celebrating its 100th anniversary.

The 2024 home tour ranges from a Victorian-era Morgan Park mansion steeped in history and lore to a modest Depression era West Beverly brick house expanded and completely remodeled for modern family living.

This year’s homes highlight how owners have preserved the elegance and style of their historic homes; how unique original architectural elements mesh with contemporary kitchen, bath and basement updates; how a modest house can be transformed by efficient and appealing additions, and lots more.

At each house, visitors will enjoy Home Tour hospitality, experiencing tastings from local eateries and brewpubs, decorating ideas, neighborhood history, and more.

Honoring both the past and the present, Smith Village will be the starting point for this year’s tour. The vibrant senior living community is celebrating its 100th anniversary, looking back at its beginnings in 1924, first as Oakhaven Old People’s Home and later as the Washington and Jane Smith Home. In 2005, the his­toric five-acre site was redeveloped and renamed Smith Vil­lage and in 2007, res­i­dents began moving into the continuing care community’s beautiful inde­pen­dent liv­ing apartments.

Private homes being showcased include:

The Italianate mansion surrounded in lore was built by a prominent Morgan Park real estate investor, and once the home of a world traveling University of Chicago geography professor and his wife who were brilliant hosts, opening the home to students and colleagues. Last featured on the Beverly/Morgan Park Home Tour in 1989, the family in residence at that time redecorated the house using lovely reproduction wallpapers reflecting the home’s Victorian elegance. Current owners have preserved the home's original integrity while adding updated amenities including a new kitchen and baths.

A gracious painted lady Victorian designed by a noted architect for his home. Just ten years later, the local businessman then in residence hired architect Henry K. Holsman – another noted architect who may be best known for starting the “high wheeler” car craze — to design a flawlessly seamed addition. Original architectural elements in this house have been pristinely preserved by subsequent owners, including working pocket doors and striking stained glass windows and doors. A stunning hand-carved staircase is outfitted with small drawers that hold charming treasures from previous owners, including the late Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stephens who lived there for several years.

A Tudor Revival built for a noted financier, construction on this house was completed just weeks before the stock market crash of 1929. No expense had been spared for the exterior and interior detailing that creates a uniquely distinctive elegance handcrafted by master plasterers and carvers. In recent years, owners discovered, restored, and reinstalled intricately decorative bronze light fixtures in almost every room.

Built in the 1880s, the East Beverly Queen Anne Victorian was one of just a few homes that dotted what is now Beverly/Morgan Park. The current owners, like their predecessors, are carefully preserving the handsome original woodwork, floors, windows, and fireplaces. The beauty of those elements is a perfect backdrop to the owners’ outstanding collection of original artwork on themes that range from the iconic to the eclectic.

In West Beverly, a 1930s Cape Cod has been totally transformed into an open concept family home. A reconfiguration of the front of the house and large addition to the back have given a 90+-year-old house a whole new feel. The recent remodeling of the kitchen/family room showcases an island that not only seats six people along one side, it houses ample storage for oversized and seldom used items. The kitchen overlooks a cozy seating area complete with a fireplace, window seats, and bar.

On Home Tour day, only the south entry at Smith Village , 2320 W. 113th Place, Chicago, will be open from 12 to 3 p.m. for Home Tour check in and ticket sales. Featured homes are open from noon to 5 p.m. All tours are self-guided, and must begin at Smith Village by 3 p.m. Featured locations are not within walking distance.

Home Tour tickets are available online at BAPA Home Tour for $30 in advance or $35 at the door for BAPA members, or $35 in advance or $40 at the door for non-members.

Information about BAPA’s Beverly/Morgan Park Home Tour is available at 773-233-3100; Facebook and Instagram .

The article Beverly-Morgan Park Home Tour Showcases 'Lore And Legend' Of 5 Homes appeared first on Beverly-MtGreenwood Patch .

A Queen Anne, painted lady, Cape Cod, Italianate mansion and a Tudor revival are featured on Beverly-Area Planning Association's home tour set for Sunday, May 19.

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