Many words have been spoken about Alyssa Naeher since she announced her retirement from the U.S. women’s national team. She shared with The Women’s Game that she had a feeling early in the year that she might retire, having achieved her goals.
Throughout her 15-year career with the USWNT, Naeher has proven herself as one of the greatest goalkeepers to ever represent the team. Her journey to the national team began gradually, starting with her time in the youth system and reaching a pivotal moment at the U-20 World Cup.
Reflecting on her career, Naeher emphasized the importance of incremental progress and the influence of great coaches. Her success is attributed to her ability to handle pressure, thrive in crucial moments, and continuously strive for improvement.
After taking over the starting goalkeeper position in 2017, Naeher played a key role in the USWNT’s triumphs at the 2019 World Cup and 2024 Olympics. She leaves a lasting legacy as one of the top goalkeepers in the team’s history.
As Naeher exits, the USWNT faces the challenge of finding a successor to her caliber. While young goalkeepers like Mandy Haught and Phallon Tullis-Joyce have been called up, the team also considers players like Casey Murphy, Jane Campbell, and Aubrey Kingsbury as potential replacements.
Naeher’s advice to the next generation of goalkeepers is to focus on preparation, mindset, and adaptability within the team’s system. She believes in the competitive yet supportive environment of the USWNT, which has contributed to her success.
Teammates praise Naeher for her exceptional career and acknowledge her as the epitome of what it means to play for the USWNT. Her legacy as a legendary goalkeeper will forever leave its mark on US Soccer.
