Getting to Know Defender Esme Morgan

Esme Morgan is one of the Spirit’s standout international signings this year. The 23-year-old defender comes to Washington, D.C. by way of Manchester where she began her professional career with Manchester City. At just 16 years old, Morgan made her professional debut with the senior team and apart from a loan to Everton for the 2019-20 season, she spent her entire career with Manchester City. Morgan also has extensive experience with the England women’s national football team, including being named to England’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup roster. Morgan signed a four-year contract with the Spirit.

 

What was your first soccer memory?
My first football memory is my first ever Man City game. Both my parents are from Manchester, so I grew up a Man City fan. I never had a choice in that. My first game was on my third birthday, and I remember it so clearly. We beat Bolton Wonderers six-two. I obviously thought that City would win every game like that, and they didn’t for a while, though, recently they have. I remember it was so noisy, my mom had little cotton rolled balls to put in my ear. And I was too little for my seat, so my uncle and my mom had to hold my seat down to stop my seat from flipping up.

 

What’s your favorite movie?
The Lion King, I love it. It’s my favorite movie, but it is also my favorite play. It makes me cry, and I absolutely love it. I have gone to see it in the theaters – like Broadway plays – 3-4 times. It doesn’t get old. I’ve been to see it in the West End in London and also in Manchester. I went to see it on Broadway when I went to New York City. Movie-wise, I also love the Harry Potter films. I can recite some of the lines, since I have watched them so many times.

 

What’s always in your fridge?
Pineapple juice. I love it, ever since I was a kid. When we use to go out to restaurants and stuff, parents would be getting wine and beers, and I just wanted a pineapple juice. It’s carried on into adulthood. I love it. I went to Trader Joe’s yesterday, and they have these humongous cartons – I’ve never seen such a big carton of pineapple. They knew I was coming. Everything is huge here, I wanted to get a little pot of sour cream, and the smallest one was humongous. How do you get through all of it? Anyway, definitely pineapple juice and milk, too. I always have a glass of milk before bed. I usually have semi-skimmed at home, but it’s called different things here. Yesterday I got one with a green lid. It tasted like semi-skinned, so I decided this will do.

 

What is a skill you want to learn?

Crochet – Paige (Metayer) said she’ll teach me! I wear a lot of crochet tops, that’s kind of my vibe. I would love to be able to make one myself. Again, sticking on the arts and crafts theme. Maybe learning how to play the keyboard a bit better. I have really fallen off the bandwagon with it. In lockdown, I learned to play loads of songs on the keyboard, I would love to pick it back up at some point.

 

Anything else fans should know about you?

I am a massive NFL fan. I love the Jacksonville Jaguars. When I started watching the NFL, I would say 7 years ago, I didn’t have a good reason to support any team. I just decided that my favorite color is teal, so I’ll support the Jags. I watch the games every Sunday on NFL Red Zone; I love it. Every Sunday, I’ll get takeout and watch RedZone. I get so nervous when they cut to the Jags game because I think about them scoring or conceding a touchdown, it’s so nerve-racking. I get so invested, but I know we have a lot of Sunday games this fall, so maybe in the off-season, I’ll get to see them. Do not worry, I have looked into it. The Jags play regularly in the UK. I’ve been to see them in London, a couple of years ago, it was one of the best days of my life. I want to get one of the Jags new jerseys, one of the throwbacks. I need to get a hold of one of them.

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