Alyssa Naeher is the current USWNT goalkeeper. She has made over 85 appearances for her country and was the starting goalkeeper for the USWNT at the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
The future USA goalkeeper was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on April 20, 1988. She attended Christian Heritage School and was an all-state and all-league soccer player, as well as a Parade All-American and NSCAA Youth All-American.
Naeher, a three-time NSCAA All-American at Penn State, was a first-round (11th overall) selection in the 2010 Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) Draft and played 16 games her rookie season for the Breakers.
Alyssa Naeher finished the season with a 9-4-2 record, three shutouts, and 1.17 goals against average. In 2011, Naeher led the WPS league in saves (99), which also set a single-season franchise record.
The 5ft 9in (195cm) goalkeeper finished the season with five shutouts and a 1.33 GAA, starting all 18 games for the Boston Breakers.
Moving Overseas To Gain Experience
Alyssa Naeher joined Turbine Potsdam in Germany’s Frauen Bundesliga league following the 2011 WPS season. The women’s soccer star made an immediate impact when she joined the club, quickly taking over the starting role and leading Potsdam to the 2011-12 Frauen Bundesliga championship, the team’s fourth straight title.
Over two years at Potsdam, Alyssa Naeher had a 6-3-1 Champions League record with four shutouts.
In her debut season with Potsdam, 2011-12, Naeher went 13-2-2 with 11 shutouts in the league. The team finished second in the Bundesliga, four points back of champions VFL Wolfsburg.
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After playing for two years in Germany, Alyssa Naeher signed with the Boston Breakers of the newly formed National Women’s Soccer League.
Naeher played every minute of the 2014 National Women’s Soccer League season for Boston, winning the Goalkeeper of the Year award with 106 saves in 24 games.
The Chicago Red Stars traded Alyssa Naeher to the Boston Breakers for Whitney Engen on November 22, 2015.
As a result of her three shutouts and only allowing one goal in four games during May, Naeher was named Player of the Month for the 2016 NWSL season in Chicago.
The No.1 jersey was named to the NWSL Team of the Month in June 2018 and Player of the Week. Alyssa Naeher earned her 100th NWSL cap against the Portland Thorns in August 2018.
National Team Success
As part of the US Under-20 Women’s National Team, Naeher won the 2008 FIFA Women’s World Cup, winning the Golden Glove award after winning five matches. In December 2009, The Penn State graduate was called up to train with the senior USWNT by Pia Sundhage for the first time. The USWNT took her to Portugal for the 2011 Algarve Cup.
A 7-0 win over Argentina at the International Tournament of Brazil marked Alyssa Naeher’s first start for the U.S. Women’s National team.
The United States won the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada with Naeher as a backup goalkeeper to Hope Solo, but Naeher did not play.
She was named to the 2016 Summer Olympics roster for the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team, which will compete in Rio de Janeiro.
Alyssa Naeher has replaced Hope Solo as the United States’ number-one goalkeeper since the USWNT lost at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
The United States won their second consecutive CONCACAF Women’s Championship with a 2–0 victory over Canada thanks to Naeher as their number-one goalkeeper.
The USA started Naeher in goal for the team’s first group game at the 2019 World Cup for the first time since Hope Solo and Briana Scurry was in goal at the same time over two decades ago.
The U.S. won 13–0 over Thailand, 3–0 over Chile, and 2–0 over Sweden in the group stage behind Naeher’s shutouts.
The United States won the quarterfinals by 2–1 after Alyssa Naeher made four saves against France. In the semifinals, Naeher made three crucial saves and saved a penalty to help the United States win 2–1 over England.
The Bridgeport native played every minute of the 2019 World Cup final, in which the USA won 2–0 over the Netherlands.
CONCACAF Names Alyssa Naeher Goalkeeper of the Year
In 2018, Alyssa Naeher was awarded The Confederation of North, Central American, and Caribbean Association Football’s (CONCACAF) Goalkeeper of the Year and named to the Best XI squad.
This is the first time Naeher has taken home the honors, primarily due to her stellar performances for the United States National Team and Chicago Red Stars last season.
For the USWNT, she was the first-choice goalkeeper for a side that went unbeaten in 2018. In the CONCACAF Women’s Championship 2018, Naeher started four matches, keeping a clean sheet in every game. In total, she had 15 shutouts for the USWNT for the year.
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Playing for the Red Stars, Alyssa Naeher added seven clean sheets in 23 games and helped Chicago reach the postseason for the fourth consecutive season. She was named the NWSL Player of the Week for Week 6 after making 11 saves against the North Carolina Courage. Against the Portland Thorns in August, Naher earned her 100th NWSL cap.
Although relatively small in height for an international soccer goalie, the 175 centimeters (5ft 9in) shot-stopper has had a remarkable career and will be pushing for selection for the 2023 World Cup. If selected, she will be 35 years of age when they land in Australia in July.
Alyssa Naeher Soccer Stats
Playing Career:
- SoccerPlus Connecticut 2008
- Boston Breakers 2010–2011
- Turbine Potsdam 2011–2013
- Boston Breakers 2013–2015
- Chicago Red Stars 2016–
International Career:
- United States U-20 2007–2008
- United States U-23 2009–2011
- USWNT 2014–
International Honors:
- 2008: FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Champions
- 2015 and 2019: FIFA Women’s World Cup Champions
- 2018 and 2022: CONCACAF Women’s Championship Winners
- 2020: Olympic Bronze Medal
Individual Honors:
- 2008: FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Golden Glove and All-Star Team
- 2014: NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year and NWSL Best XI
- 2018: CONCACAF Goalkeeper of the Year and CONCACAF Best XI
