SCSU Women’s Soccer Presents

An Evening with U.S. Women’s Soccer Player of the Year Alyssa Naeher

Alyssa Naeher, Stratford native and U.S. Soccer’s 2024 Female Player of the Year, speaks about her storied career as goalkeeper for Olympic and World Cup-winning U.S. Women’s Soccer Teams.

Naeher’s moderated conversation with Christine Huber comes just two days before she is recognized for her career achievements prior to the U.S. v Portugal women’s game in East Hartford.

Over its 40-year history, the Female Player of the Year award has usually been awarded to attacking-minded midfielders or forwards. Naeher is just the second goalkeeper to win the award behind Hope Solo, who Naeher replaced as the team’s first option between the sticks.

Naeher, 37, retired from international play at the end of 2024 and currently plays for Chicago Stars FC in the NWSL. Her decorated 10-year international career also includes being named The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for 2024, to the Best FIFA Women’s 11 (2024), an Olympic gold medal (Paris 2024), an Olympic bronze medal (Tokyo 2020), and two FIFA Women’s World Cup Championships (2019, 2015).  

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Naeher played every minute, allowing just two goals and keeping clean sheets throughout the knockout round, including in the gold medal match against Brazil. With her performance in the Olympics final, Naeher is now the only goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in a World Cup and Olympics final.  

Naeher, who was also nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, ended 2024 with 18 starts, 1,170 minutes played, a 13W-1L-3D record, and a 0.50 GAA while allowing just 11 goals for the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT).

Beyond her shot-stopping ability, Naeher is known for her quiet confidence and unwavering focus. Her journey to the top has been defined by hard work, patience, and an unyielding commitment to excellence. She continues to inspire aspiring goalkeepers worldwide with her perseverance and dedication to the sport.

This summer, in an appearance on Premier League Mornings Live, legendary U.S. Soccer goalkeeper Tim Howard echoed the sentiments of many USWNT and Chicago Stars fans when he called Naeher “the greatest goalkeeper in the world, hands down.”