USWNT veteran goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher retires from international play

The main point: The No. 1 USWNT is preparing for a friendly match against No. 2 England, but goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher has announced her retirement from international play ahead of the first leg of the Americans’ Euro tour.

Naeher, a veteran goalkeeper, will leave the USWNT on a high note, with two more friendlies before hanging up her boots after a successful 15-year career. She is a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist, known for her prowess in penalty kicks.

With Naeher’s retirement looming, fans can expect a fresh lineup for Saturday’s game at 12:20 p.m. ET at Wembley Stadium. While Naeher may still make an appearance, new faces are likely to feature in the upcoming matches against England and the Netherlands.

Talented forwards like Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, and Trinity Rodman will sit out to recover, opening up opportunities for young players like Alyssa Thompson and Ally Sentnor. In the midfield, Lily Yohannes could make her debut after recently committing to the USWNT, bringing excitement for what she can bring to the team.