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Alyssa Naeher to retire from USWNT following European friendlies

The U.S. women’s national team’s current European trip will be the final international window for goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

Naeher has officially announced her retirement from international soccer, U.S. Soccer announced Monday. After making her senior debut in December 2014, Naeher has become a prime figure in the USWNT squad for several years now.

Naeher featured for the USWNT over 11 years, winning the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Olympic Gold Medal. She was part of three World Cup squads, three Olympics teams, and the 2008 USWNT U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup title.

Naeher has an all-time USWNT record of 88-6-14 and a goals against average of 0.50.

“Having the opportunity to be a part of the USWNT for the past 15 years has been the greatest honor,” said Naeher. “When I began this journey, I never could have imagined where it would take me, and now I find myself so grateful for all the incredible teammates that I have shared the field with; teammates that have turned into lifelong friends. To all my teammates, coaches and staff, thank you all for pushing me, supporting me, and making me a better person/player every single day. A special thanks goes to my family. You have traveled all over the world and were in my corner every step of the way and I love you all.

“This has been a special team to be a part of and I am beyond proud of what we have achieved both on and off the field,” she added. “The memories I have made over the years will last me a lifetime. I know one chapter is ending, but I am so excited to continue to see the growth of this team going forward and what more they can accomplish.”

At club level, Naeher has mainly played in the NWSL and is currently a member of the Chicago Red Stars. She’s made 132 combined appearances for Chicago since joining in 2016 from the Boston Breakers.

In total, Naeher has made over 280 appearances at club level, which also featured 54 in Germany. She won the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2014 and was also named to the NWSL Best XI that year.

The USWNT will face England and the Netherlands over the next week in their final matches of 2024.

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