Alyssa Naeher's ever-reliable hands played an integral role in securing the USWNT's 2024 Olympic gold, and she's riding that marvelous high right into retirement.
Though Naeher will continue to compete for the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL, she bid farewell to international soccer with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands, completing an impressive, decade-long USWNT career.
A goalkeeper lives a unique life, often spending much of their career waiting. Waiting for their predecessor to retire or make a mistake colossal enough that it warrants a changing of the guard. Once you're tagged in, you pray to the soccer gods with fingers and toes crossed that you're so physically and mentally switched on at all times that retirement (at a time of your choosing) comes before you have a chance to make a colossal error of your own.
Goalkeepers are heavily relied on as the last line of defense, but even in victory, they're cast to the shadows while the forwards sparkle with their flashy game-winning goals.
Unless you're Alyssa Naeher and you stop PKs, score PKs, make brilliant game winning saves and lead a team in a simultaneously unassuming and commanding way. When you're Alyssa Naeher, your value is so undeniable that yes, you get to sparkle too.
Our queen. Our saving grace. Our Uncle. 🫶#ThankYouAlyssa pic.twitter.com/IghIBXsCeo
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 26, 2024
Alyssa Naeher is a quiet leader with an indomitable spirit
Naeher has given the people what they want, quietly getting the job done without fuss. For the cherry on top, the notorious non-hugger has also dished out so many hugs accompanied by broad grins as of late that she's eliciting an "as if I couldn't love her more" feeling from her fan base.
Coming off of an Olympic gold with an additional two World Cup titles and an Olympic bronze to her name, Naeher has won what she came to win and leaves the USWNT happy and (seemingly) healthy, with nothing but memorable, game-saving performances to finish out her career. If that's not a dream retirement, I don't know what is.
She'll be sorely missed, leaving an obvious hole that's not so obviously filled. She's a history maker, a legend, she's Alyssa Naeher.