In a year filled with milestones and triumphs, one achievement stands above the rest for Alyssa Naeher. The legendary U.S. Women’s National Team goalkeeper has been voted the 2024 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, putting an exclamation point on her final season before retiring from international play.
Crowning Achievement in a Glittering Career
For Naeher, winning U.S. Soccer’s highest individual honor serves as a crowning achievement in a career loaded with accolades. The 36-year-old backstop led the USWNT to Olympic gold in 2024, anchoring a smothering defense that allowed a measly two goals the entire tournament.
This marks just the second time a goalkeeper has won the prestigious award since its inception in 1985, putting Naeher in the exclusive company of fellow USWNT great Hope Solo. Naeher’s 40.8% share of the weighted vote outpaced runner-up Naomi Girma, last year’s winner.
Leaving on Top
Naeher’s Player of the Year nod serves as a storybook ending to her international career. After announcing her retirement from the USWNT in November, Naeher finished with 115 caps and a sparkling 89-15-6 record over 13 years patrolling the American goal.
In her final run with the Stars and Stripes, Naeher started 18 matches, logging 1,170 minutes while conceding a miniscule 11 goals. She posted 13 wins against just one loss and guided the USWNT to Olympic glory, cementing her status as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the program’s vaunted history.
“This is an incredible honor, to cap off what has been a very special year with this team,” Naeher said. “I was inspired all year long by my incredible teammates; the work we put in, the commitment to the team and our goals, and all of their love and support.”
Rewriting the Record Books
Beyond leading the USWNT to Olympic gold, Naeher made history in 2024. She became the first goalkeeper, male or female, to post shutouts in a World Cup final and Olympic gold medal match. With her blanking of Brazil to secure gold, Naeher etched her name in soccer lore.
- 100 Caps: Naeher reached the century mark in international appearances in 2024, becoming just the third American goalkeeper to hit that milestone.
- All-Time Great: Her 115 caps and 89 wins both rank third in USWNT history behind Solo and Briana Scurry.
Honored by The Best
Naeher’s dominance between the posts gained worldwide recognition beyond her U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year award. FIFA also bestowed two prestigious honors on the American captain:
- The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper: Voted the top goalkeeper in the women’s game for 2024
- The Best FIFA Women’s 11: Named to the best eleven players in the world for the year
Curtain Call on the Club Level
With her international career now complete, Naeher will turn her full-time focus to the NWSL, where she remains the Chicago Red Stars’ cornerstone in goal. The Connecticut native will return for her seventh season with Chicago, whom she led to an NWSL title in 2023.
Naeher’s steady veteran presence and shot-stopping ability will be instrumental if Chicago is to repeat as queens of the NWSL. Red Stars fans still have the opportunity to witness Naeher’s goalkeeping genius and leadership as she winds down her storied career.
A Legacy Intact
With an Olympic gold medal, two World Cup titles, and recognition as the best in the world, Alyssa Naeher has secured her place among the greatest goalkeepers in women’s soccer history. Her legacy with the USWNT remains unimpeachable.
“Alyssa Naeher is retirement-official, the Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper is, in my opinion, the greatest goalkeeper the USWNT has ever had,” former USWNT coach Jill Ellis said.
Now, as U.S. Soccer’s Female Player of the Year, Naeher has earned one last individual accolade to go with her unparalleled team triumphs. The honor serves as a well-deserved curtain call for a USWNT icon who always showed up when her team needed her most.
