U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer.
Naeher is on the team’s roster for a pair of upcoming matches in Europe but those games will be her last after a full 11 years playing for the United States.
Over the course of her career, Naeher was on the U.S. team that won the Women’s World Cup in 2019 and the gold medal at the Olympics this summer in France. She’s the only U.S. goalkeeper to earn a shutout in both a World Cup and an Olympic final.
The former Penn State product made a key save to preserve the Americans’ 1-0 victory over Brazil in the Olympic final.
Naeher was known throughout her career for her calm and steady leadership. She is one of just three goalkeepers to make more than 100 appearances for the United States.
Forever a Nittany Lion, and FOREVER the people’s keeper????
Congratulations to Nittany Lion alumna Alyssa Naeher on her retirement from international soccer. Your impact will be felt for generations to come????????????#WeAre | #PSWS pic.twitter.com/Q212vnAAfV
— Penn State Women’s Soccer (@PennStateWSOC) November 25, 2024
Naeher made her debut with the national team in 2014 and was a backup to Hope Solo at the 2015 World Cup, which the United States won. She became the team’s regular starter following the 2016 Olympics and was on the squad that repeated as World Cup winners in 2019.
The 36-year-old has also played for the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women’s Soccer League since 2016.
