Servando Carrasco is a former American professional soccer midfielder who spent much of his playing career in Major League Soccer. Born on August 13, 1988, in San Diego, California, Carrasco developed as a defensive midfielder and eventually became a longtime MLS player. ESPN lists his professional career with Seattle Sounders FC, Houston Dynamo FC, Sporting Kansas City, Orlando City SC and LA Galaxy.
Carrasco entered professional soccer after playing college soccer at the University of California, Berkeley. Seattle selected him No. 27 overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, giving him his first opportunity to compete at the highest level of American domestic soccer. His MLS career eventually lasted nine seasons, according to U.S. Soccer, and he became known for his work in defensive midfield and his ability to help control possession.
| Servando Carrasco Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Servando Carrasco |
| Date of birth | August 13, 1988 |
| Birthplace | San Diego, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in |
| College | University of California, Berkeley |
| MLS Draft | No. 27 overall, 2011 |
| Professional role | Defensive midfielder |
His name is also familiar to many fans because he married Alex Morgan, one of the most accomplished players in U.S. women’s soccer. However, Carrasco built his own professional résumé before and during their relationship. U.S. Soccer identifies him as a former professional soccer player and notes that he and Morgan met while both were playing at California.
Early Life and Soccer Background
Carrasco grew up in Southern California and developed his soccer career in the San Diego and Tijuana region. His background gave him a strong connection to the soccer culture on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. His path eventually led him to the University of California, Berkeley, where he became one of the program’s notable midfielders. MLS has described him as a California product who divided his youth between San Diego and Tijuana.
His development was important because he entered professional soccer at a time when MLS was continuing to expand its talent pool and improve its domestic development system. Rather than entering the league as a highly publicized international signing, Carrasco followed the traditional American college-to-professional route. His selection by Seattle in the 2011 SuperDraft became the key step that moved his career from college soccer into the professional game.
College Career at California
At the University of California, Carrasco spent four years developing as a midfielder and earning recognition for his performances. MLS records credit him with First-Team All-Pac-10 and Third-Team All-America honors, demonstrating that his college career had already established him as a respected player before he entered MLS.
His time at Cal also became personally significant because he met future wife Alex Morgan at the university. Morgan was building her own remarkable career with the Golden Bears before becoming a major figure in international women’s soccer. U.S. Soccer confirms that Morgan met Carrasco during their college years at California.
| College Career | Information |
| University | University of California, Berkeley |
| Position | Midfielder |
| College career | Four years |
| Major recognition | First-Team All-Pac-10 |
| National recognition | Third-Team All-America |
| Notable connection | Met Alex Morgan at Cal |
Servando Carrasco’s MLS Career
Carrasco began his MLS career with Seattle Sounders FC after the club selected him 27th overall in the 2011 SuperDraft. Seattle represented an important starting point because Carrasco immediately entered a competitive professional environment and began building experience as a defensive midfielder. MLS later noted that he had extensive league experience and a broad passing range.
His career then took him to several MLS organizations. He moved from Seattle to the Houston Dynamo during the 2013 campaign, and Sporting Kansas City acquired his rights during the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. He later joined Orlando City before moving to LA Galaxy. MLS reports show that by the time he returned to Southern California with LA Galaxy, he had already accumulated significant MLS experience.
| Club | Career Note |
| Seattle Sounders FC | Drafted No. 27 overall in 2011 |
| Houston Dynamo | Joined during the 2013 campaign |
| Sporting Kansas City | Acquired his rights in 2015 |
| Orlando City SC | Played from 2015 to 2017 |
| LA Galaxy | Joined through the 2017 Re-Entry Draft |
| LA Galaxy | Returned for the 2019 season |
By the end of the 2019 season, MLS reported that Carrasco had played his ninth MLS season with LA Galaxy. MLS also recorded 161 appearances, two goals and seven assists at that point in his career.
Playing Style and Career Highlights
Servando Carrasco primarily played as a defensive midfielder, a position that requires discipline, positioning and an understanding of how to connect defense with attack. MLS described him as a technically gifted defensive midfielder with an expansive passing range. Rather than being known primarily for scoring goals, his value came from his ability to provide depth, compete in midfield and help his team maintain structure.
His statistics also reflect the nature of his role. At the time of his 2019 season, he had recorded only two MLS goals but seven assists across 161 appearances. That production illustrates why judging a defensive midfielder solely by goals would overlook much of his contribution. Carrasco’s career was built around consistency, experience and tactical responsibility.
“Servando has extensive MLS experience and brings depth to our squad.”
MLS published that assessment from LA Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid when the club signed Carrasco, highlighting the experience he brought to the midfield.
Servando Carrasco and Alex Morgan
One of the most searched aspects of Carrasco’s personal life is his relationship with Alex Morgan. The pair met while attending the University of California, Berkeley, where both were pursuing soccer careers. Morgan went on to become a U.S. women’s national team icon, while Carrasco established his own professional career in MLS. U.S. Soccer confirms that the couple married and identifies Carrasco as a former professional soccer player.
The couple welcomed their daughter, Charlie Elena Carrasco, in May 2020. MLS reported that Carrasco was then completing his ninth MLS season, while U.S. Soccer’s Morgan profile also confirms that the couple welcomed their first child that year.
| Family Detail | Information |
| Wife | Alex Morgan |
| Met | University of California, Berkeley |
| Daughter | Charlie Elena Carrasco |
| Daughter’s birth | May 7, 2020 |
Life After Professional Soccer
Carrasco’s career has not simply ended with his playing days. He and Morgan have also become involved in business and investment activities. U.S. Soccer reported that Morgan’s venture fund, Trybe Ventures, is run with her husband Servando Carrasco and invests in early-stage companies focused on areas including sports and health technology.
This transition gives Carrasco another connection to the sports industry. His experience as a professional athlete provides an understanding of the challenges and opportunities within sports, while his work away from the field shows how former athletes can apply their experience to business and investment.
Servando Carrasco’s Legacy
Carrasco’s legacy comes from longevity and consistency rather than headline-grabbing statistics. He entered MLS through the SuperDraft, played for five MLS clubs and accumulated 161 league appearances by the end of the 2019 season. His career demonstrates the path available to players who develop through college soccer and establish themselves through tactical discipline and professional experience.
His story also has a broader connection to American soccer. Carrasco and Morgan both came through the University of California before pursuing professional careers, although their paths and achievements differed considerably. Morgan became one of the world’s best-known women’s soccer players, while Carrasco built a long MLS career as a midfielder. Together, their careers represent two different routes through the American soccer system.
Conclusion
Servando Carrasco built a respectable professional soccer career through college success, a first-round MLS opportunity and years of experience across several clubs. From being selected No. 27 overall by Seattle Sounders FC in 2011 to playing for Houston Dynamo, Sporting Kansas City, Orlando City and LA Galaxy, he established himself as an experienced defensive midfielder in MLS.
Although many people now know Carrasco because of his marriage to Alex Morgan, his own achievements remain an important part of his story. His nine-year MLS career, college honors and later involvement in business demonstrate a career that extended well beyond his time on the soccer field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Servando Carrasco?
Servando Carrasco is a former American professional soccer midfielder who played nine years in Major League Soccer.
What position did Servando Carrasco play?
Carrasco primarily played as a defensive midfielder.
Is Servando Carrasco married to Alex Morgan?
Yes. U.S. Soccer confirms that Carrasco is married to former U.S. women’s national team star Alex Morgan.
Which MLS teams did Servando Carrasco play for?
He played for Seattle Sounders FC, Houston Dynamo FC, Sporting Kansas City, Orlando City SC and LA Galaxy.
