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Alyssa Naeher

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Article Genealogy
Parent: United States women's national soccer team Hop 4
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Alyssa Naeher
NameAlyssa Naeher
Birth date20 April 1988
Birth placeBridgeport, Connecticut, United States
Height5 ft 9 in
PositionGoalkeeper
CurrentclubChicago Red Stars
Youthyears12006–2009
Youthclubs1Penn State Nittany Lions
Years12010–2011
Clubs1Boston Breakers
Caps136
Years22012
Clubs2Turbine Potsdam
Caps210
Years32013–2015
Clubs3Boston Breakers
Caps354
Years42016–
Clubs4Chicago Red Stars
Caps4130
Nationalyears12014–
Nationalteam1United States women's national soccer team
Nationalcaps1101
MedaltemplatesCountry, United States Competition, FIFA Women's World Cup Gold, 2019 France Bronze, 2023 Australia/New Zealand Competition, CONCACAF W Championship Gold, 2018 United States Gold, 2022 Mexico Competition, SheBelieves Cup Gold, 2016 United States Gold, 2018 United States Gold, 2020 United States Gold, 2021 United States Gold, 2022 United States Gold, 2023 United States Gold, 2024 United States Competition, Summer Olympic Games Bronze, 2020 Tokyo

Alyssa Naeher is an American professional soccer goalkeeper for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League and the United States women's national soccer team. A key figure in the team's modern era, she succeeded the legendary Hope Solo as the starting goalkeeper and has been instrumental in securing major international trophies. Known for her composure, shot-stopping ability, and leadership from the back, Naeher has cemented her status as one of the world's premier goalkeepers.

Early life and education

Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, she grew up in Seymour, Connecticut and was a multi-sport standout at Christian Heritage School. She led her soccer team to a New England Preparatory School Athletic Council championship and also excelled in basketball. For her collegiate career, she attended Pennsylvania State University, where she played for the Penn State Nittany Lions from 2006 to 2009. During her time in University Park, Pennsylvania, she was a three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection and set numerous program records, earning recognition as a Hermann Trophy semifinalist in her senior season.

Club career

Naeher began her professional career with the Boston Breakers in the now-defunct Women's Professional Soccer league in 2010. After the league folded, she had a stint in the Frauen-Bundesliga with Turbine Potsdam in 2012. She returned to the reformed Boston Breakers for the inaugural National Women's Soccer League season in 2013. In 2016, she was traded to the Chicago Red Stars, where she has become a franchise cornerstone. With the Red Stars, she has been a multiple-time NWSL Best XI honoree and helped the team reach the NWSL Championship final in 2019.

International career

Naeher made her senior debut for the United States women's national soccer team in 2014. She gradually assumed the starting role following the retirement of Hope Solo after the 2016 Summer Olympics. Her major tournament debut as the number one goalkeeper came at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France, where her critical penalty save in the quarterfinal against Spain and her composure throughout the tournament were vital to the United States winning the title. She also started at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, winning a bronze medal, and was the starting goalkeeper at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where her heroic performance in a penalty shootout against Canada in the round of 16 and her own penalty conversion in the shootout against Sweden were historic highlights.

Style of play

Naeher is renowned for her exceptional shot-stopping reflexes, commanding presence in the penalty area, and efficient distribution with both her hands and feet. Her calm demeanor under pressure and superb organizational skills in directing her defense are hallmarks of her game. Coaches and analysts, including former United States Soccer Federation technical director April Heinrichs, have praised her mental toughness and consistency, which have been critical in high-stakes tournament matches.

Personal life

She comes from an athletic family; her sister, Amanda Naeher, also played collegiate soccer at UConn. Outside of soccer, she is an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. She maintains a relatively private life but is actively involved in community outreach programs with both the Chicago Red Stars and U.S. Soccer.

Career statistics

As of the end of the 2023 NWSL season, Naeher has made over 130 regular season appearances in the National Women's Soccer League for the Chicago Red Stars and Boston Breakers. For the United States women's national soccer team, she earned her 100th cap in 2023, placing her among the most-capped goalkeepers in the program's history behind only Hope Solo and Briana Scurry. Her international statistics include numerous clean sheets in major tournaments like the FIFA Women's World Cup and the CONCACAF W Championship.

Category:American soccer players Category:United States women's national soccer team players Category:Chicago Red Stars players