Alyssa Naeher: A Year to Remember in U.S. Soccer
In the world of U.S. soccer, few players have had a year quite like Alyssa Naeher. The Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper has been voted the 2024 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, a fitting capstone to a remarkable year that saw her clinch an Olympic gold medal and announce her retirement from international soccer.
Naeher’s journey to this prestigious accolade was marked by her receiving 40.8% of the weighted vote, surpassing last year’s winner, San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma, who garnered 32.2%. The voting process for the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year is comprehensive, involving national team coaches, players who earned a cap in 2024, members of the U.S. Soccer board of directors, the U.S. Soccer Athletes’ Council, National Women’s Soccer League head coaches, and select media members and administrators. Fans also have a say, with their votes accounting for 15% of the total.
At 36, Naeher becomes only the second goalkeeper to win this award since its inception in 1985. The only other goalkeeper to achieve this feat was Hope Solo, who won in 2009. The award has been dominated by field players like Abby Wambach, who won it six times, and Mia Hamm, who claimed it five times.
But Naeher’s accolades don’t stop there. She was also named The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for 2024 and was selected for The Best FIFA Best Women’s 11. This makes her the 21st different player to win the U.S. Soccer award, a testament to her outstanding contributions to the sport.
Reflecting on her achievements, Naeher expressed her gratitude, saying, “This is an incredible honor, to cap off what has been a very special year with this team. This team is made up of a special group of players, coaches, and staff, and all year you could feel that energy and that we had the opportunity to achieve something great. 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.”
Naeher was instrumental in the USWNT’s Olympic triumph, playing every minute of the tournament. Her performance was highlighted by several crucial saves, including a remarkable kick-save in overtime of the semifinal against Germany. She allowed just two goals during the Olympics, and with her shutout of Brazil in the gold medal game, she became the first goalkeeper in women’s soccer history to keep clean sheets in both a World Cup final and an Olympic final.
Her 2024 stats are equally impressive: 18 starts, 1,170 minutes played, a 13W-1L-3D record, and a 0.50 GAA while allowing just 11 goals. Naeher announced her retirement last November, concluding her international career with 115 caps and a record of 89-15-6 (W-L-D). In 2024, she became just the third U.S. goalkeeper to reach 100 caps.
- 2024 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year
- The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year
- Selected for The Best FIFA Best Women’s 11
- First goalkeeper to keep clean sheets in both a World Cup final and an Olympic final
Despite her retirement from international play, Naeher will continue her professional club career with Chicago during the upcoming NWSL season. Her legacy, however, is firmly cemented in the annals of U.S. soccer history, and her influence will undoubtedly inspire future generations of goalkeepers.
Originally Written by: Jeff Carlisle
