SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 10: Alyssa Naeher #1 of the United States is presented with the best … [+]
United States women’s goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher has announced her retirement from international soccer at the age of 36, ending an 11-year career in which she won two World Cups and the Olympic gold medal.
Naeher’s final trip with the USWNT will see her participate in the upcoming friendlies against England in London on November 30 followed by a match against the Netherlands in The Hague on December 3.
Naeher, who made her senior debut in December 2014 and has 113 caps so far, will retire as the only goalkeeper in women’s soccer history to earn a shutout in a World Cup final and an Olympic gold medal game.
The goalkeeper, who won the 2015 and 2019 World Cups and the 2024 Olympics with USWNT, said playing for the national side has been the “greatest honor”.
“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,” Naeher said in a statement shared by U.S. Soccer.
“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.”
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 10: Alyssa Naeher #1 of the United States saves a shot from Brazil in the … [+]
U.S. Soccer applauded Naeher for her contribution to the team, describing her as one of the greatest keepers of all time after she recorded 12 clean sheets and allowed only a dozen goals in 22 starts at the World Cup and Olympics.
“Naeher’s performances in the last four world championships – the 2019 and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cups and the 2021 and 2024 Olympics — firmly sealed her status as one of the greatest ever to play the position,” the statement said.
“Her surreal calmness under pressure, distribution from the back, overall consistency in the net and a litany of epic saves in the biggest of moments have cemented her forever in USWNT lore.”
While Naeher has called time on her international career, she will continue to play for her club, the Chicago Stars, during the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season.
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