The USWNT Says Goodbye to Rock-Solid Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher
The U.S. women’s national soccer team is losing one of its most dependable players.
Alyssa Naeher, who made history as the only goalkeeper to achieve shutouts in both World Cup and Olympic finals, declared her retirement from international soccer on Monday. Her final matches with the USWNT will be in England on Saturday and in the Netherlands on December 3.
At 36 years old, Naeher has an impressive track record of 88 wins and 68 shutouts in 113 games with the USWNT, featuring a remarkable goals-against average of 0.50. She has won the World Cup twice and has both gold and bronze Olympic medals.
“Having the chance to be part of the USWNT for the last 15 years has been an incredible honor,” Naeher stated in a release from U.S. Soccer. “This team is truly special, and I am incredibly proud of our achievements on and off the field. The memories I’ve made will stay with me forever.”
Naeher faced the challenge of taking over from Hope Solo after Solo’s dismissal from the team due to various behavioral issues. The two had very different personalities; while Naeher often shied away from the limelight and emphasized the team’s efforts, some thought this could negatively impact the team, especially in the 2019 World Cup without Solo.
“No one has really given her a chance yet,” commented defender Julie Ertz before the USWNT began their tournament. “We know her well. We practice with her every day. We are aware of how great she is.”
The world soon observed Naeher’s remarkable abilities, both in character and skill as a goalkeeper.
In the semifinal match against England, she made a critical save against a penalty kick from Steph Houghton in the 83rd minute, preventing a rebound goal. This vital block secured the USWNT’s 2-1 victory, leading them to the final, where they triumphed over the Netherlands 2-0.
At the recent Paris Olympics, Naeher showcased her talent with a stunning save in the last minute of the gold medal match, allowing the USWNT to clinch a 1-0 win against Brazil. This remarkable performance included her fourth shutout during the Olympics, marking the highest for any U.S. goalkeeper in a single Olympic event.
Although the U.S. women’s team faced an unexpected early exit at last year’s World Cup, Naeher’s performance was stellar; she conceded just one goal in four matches and made headlines by successfully taking a penalty kick in their round-of-16 loss to Sweden.
Earlier this year, she replicated this feat in the SheBelieves Cup final against Canada, stopping three out of four of Canada’s penalty attempts while successfully converting her own.
Naeher plans to continue playing for at least one more season with the Chicago Stars in the NWSL, where she holds the records for most saves and appearances in the league.