Alyssa Naeher
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Alyssa Michele Naeher is an American goalkeeper who plays for Chicago Stars FC (formerly the Chicago Red Stars) of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She was a member of the United States' 23-player squad for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup and the starting goalkeeper for the United States at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France, and later led the team to gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics before retiring from international soccer. She won the 2014 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year title with the Breakers.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 20 Apr, 1988
- Age
- 32 yrs
- Occupations
- Association football player
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- Citizenship
- United States of America
- Birth Place
- Bridgeport
- Gender
- Female
- Description
- Association football player
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Background and Age
Alyssa Michele Naeher was born on April 20, 1988, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. From the earliest starting point of her youth, she had an unmistakable fascination for soccer and basketball. She has a twin sister, Amanda Naeher, and a younger sister, Abigail Naeher. For her education instruction, Alyssa joined Christian Heritage School and was a champion player in soccer.
Naeher played soccer at Christian Heritage School and was a standout player. She was named to the All-State team and the FAA All-Conference team three times, and She was also a Parade All-American and a two-time NSCAA Youth All-American. Naeher also had a successful basketball career, scoring nearly 2,000 points.
Naeher played at Penn State from 2006 to 2009, starting 74 games and posting a 50–19–5 record with 24 shutouts. In 2007 and 2008, she was named to the First Team All-American team and the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year.
Career and Net Worth
In 2010, at the Women's Professional Soccer draft, Alyssa was named in the Boston Breakers as the eleventh pick. After the 2011 season, she moved to German Bundesliga champion Turbine Potsdam. She played in 39 matches. On November 22, 2015, Alyssa was traded from the Boston Breakers to the Chicago Red Stars for safeguard Whitney Engen. She re-signed with the club, since rebranded as Chicago Stars FC, through the 2026 season. She is playing close by Julie Ertz, Jane Campbell, Lindsey Horan, Sofia Huerta, and others in the national group.
Alyssa has won the goalkeeper of the Year Award in the 2014 National Women's Soccer League season for her record 106 saves in 24 blocks. She additionally won the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper in the Cup in the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.
Depending on who is asked, famous soccer player Hope Solo either resigned or was terminated from her role as USA goalie. The former USWNT goalkeeper has a messy history with U.S. soccer, and Alyssa Naeher has the troublesome assignment of following the footsteps of the incredible goalie. In July 2019, heading into the World Cup, there were inquiries about whether Naeher could perform at the highest level; however, the goalkeeper has satisfied the test.
Naeher made a game-winning recovery against England as the group endeavored an extra shot that would have tied the match. Alex Morgan conceded after the game that Naeher spared their butts with the grasp save. What has turned out to be clear is Naeher's partners have her back.
FIFA Women's World Cup 2019
Naeher was named to the United States roster for the 2019 World Cup on May 2, 2019, her second World Cup appearance. Naeher would be the number one goalkeeper for the United States going into the tournament. In over two decades, it was the first time that neither Hope Solo nor Brianna Scurry was in goal for the United States at a World Cup when Naeher began the team's first group game on June 11. Naeher recorded three straight shutouts in the group stage as the U.S. beat Thailand 13–0, Chile 3–0, and Sweden 2–0.
Naeher made four stops against France in the quarterfinals of the elimination phase, helping his team to a 2–1 victory against the hosts. Naeher had a superb game in the semifinals, not only making three significant saves but also stopping Steph Houghton's penalty kick in the 83rd minute to assist the U.S. beat England 2–1. Naeher made one save in Sunday's final, resulting in a shutout over the Netherlands in the U.S.'s 2–0 victory, allowing the team to repeat as World Cup winners. Naeher was a vital member of the United States' World Cup-winning team in 2019.
2024 Paris Olympics, Retirement, and Legacy
Naeher went on to earn a place among the most decorated goalkeepers in U.S. Soccer history. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she started every match, keeping clean sheets throughout the knockout rounds, including in the gold medal match as the United States defeated Brazil to win Olympic gold. The performance made her the only goalkeeper in history to record a clean sheet in both a FIFA Women's World Cup final and an Olympic gold medal match. She was subsequently named U.S. Soccer's 2024 Female Player of the Year. In November 2024, Naeher announced her retirement from international soccer, closing out a decorated career with the U.S. Women's National Team, though she has continued playing at the club level.
Marriage, Husband, and Kids
Alyssa Naeher is currently not involved in any romantic relationship, but she credits her twin sister, Amanda, for assisting her on the path to becoming the USA's goalie. Alyssa's first World Cup experience was a sentimental tribute to her folks, who astonished the 11-year-old sisters with tickets to a 1999 match in New Jersey.