Alyssa Naeher, the illustrious goalkeeper who has been a stalwart for the U.S. Women’s National Team since 2014 and a mainstay as the team’s starting goalkeeper since 2017, has announced her decision to retire from international play following the team’s highly anticipated friendlies against England and the Netherlands, as revealed by the USWNT on Monday. The announcement brings an end to an illustrious chapter in Naeher’s career, marked by numerous accolades and a legacy that will forever be etched in the annals of women’s soccer history.
Reflecting on her remarkable journey, Naeher expressed her profound gratitude to the USWNT, stating: “Being part of this extraordinary team for the past 15 years has been the most incredible honor, a dream come true. When I embarked on this journey, I never could have imagined the incredible heights we would reach, the milestones we would achieve, and the lasting friendships I would forge along the way. To my teammates, coaches, and staff, I express my deepest gratitude for pushing me to excel, supporting me through thick and thin, and making me a better person and player with each passing day. A special, heartfelt thank you goes to my family, whose unwavering support has been my rock throughout this journey. Your love and encouragement have meant the world to me, and I am forever grateful.”
“This team has been a truly special family to be a part of, and I am beyond proud of the remarkable achievements we have secured on and off the field. The unforgettable memories we have created will be etched in my heart forever. As I close this chapter, I am thrilled to witness the continued growth of this incredible team and the extraordinary heights they will soar to in the years to come.”
“I’VE DONE EVERYTHING INDIVIDUALLY THAT I COULD HAVE EVER DREAMED OF ACCOMPLISHING AND MORE.” ❤️🇺🇸@AlyssaNaeher shares with @sammymewy the profound reasons behind her decision to retire from international duty with the USWNT, a choice that marks the culmination of an illustrious career 🏆 pic.twitter.com/G52WzlDFEY
— The Women’s Game (@WomensGameMIB) November 25, 2024
Regarded as one of the most decorated goalkeepers in the history of United States soccer, Naeher boasts an impressive array of accolades, including two World Cup titles (2015 and 2019), an Olympic gold medal (2024), and a pair of CONCACAF women’s championship titles. Notably, she stands as the only goalkeeper in women’s soccer to have recorded shutouts in both a World Cup Final and an Olympic gold medal match, cementing her legacy as one of the all-time greats. Her storied career has also been punctuated by her participation in the 2024 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup team, a testament to her enduring excellence.
Fans will have the opportunity to witness Naeher’s final appearances in a USWNT jersey when the team takes to the field for their pair of highly anticipated friendlies against England, scheduled for Saturday, November 30, and the Netherlands on Tuesday, December 3, marking the culmination of her illustrious career with the USWNT.
