The USWNT has a busy end to 2024 even though they played just one match in December. The month saw a legend announce her retirement and some current members of the Stars and Stripes earn some hardware.
The Blazing Musket is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Becky Sauerbrunn announced her retirement from professional soccer midway through the month. The legend’s retirement sees a 16-year career come to a close.
“I learned early on that we were all just renting our jerseys,” said Sauerbrunn. “That I got to wear the U.S. Soccer crest once was an honor and privilege for which I’m forever grateful. The fact that I got to do it over 200 times is truly humbling. I competed with and learned from some of the greatest players and leaders this sport has ever seen, and I consider myself beyond lucky to have been able to play a small part in this program’s storied history.”
The defender won two championships in her five seasons with FC Kansas City before playing two seasons with the Utah Royals and then the past five seasons with the Portland Thorns. Sauerbrunn helped Portland win the 2022 NWSL title and the 2021 NWSL Shield.
Additionally she played in three Olympic games and three Women’s World Cups for the United States. The defender ends her international career with 219 caps (185 starts).
December also saw the USWNT receive multiple awards from FIFA.
Emma Hayes was named The Best FIFA Women’s Coach of the Year for 2024. Lindsey Horan, defender Naomi Girma and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, were named to The Best FIFA Women’s 11 and Naeher was named The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper for 2024, her final year on the USWNT.
Hayes led the U.S. Women’s National Team to the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal in just her 10th match as head coach of the squad. She was also named the winner of France Football’s Ballon d’Or for Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year.
“It’s been an amazing year on many levels, but my overriding emotion is gratitude,” said Hayes. “I want to thank everyone who has been on this journey with us, especially the players, coaches and staff from Chelsea and the USWNT. In the middle of 2023, I never thought I would be sitting here as part of a gold medal-winning team, but I’ve loved working with the players and I’m very excited about 2025 and executing our WNT strategy. It’s going to be an exciting time for the players as we continue to build on what we accomplished in 2024.”
Now to the players.
Girma started all 18 USWNT games in which she played this year, marshalling a U.S. defense that allowed just 12 goals, and just two in the Olympic Games. She finished third in minutes played (1,637) behind only fellow FIFA The Best Women’s 11 members Naeher and Horan.
Horan played in her third Olympic games in 2024, captaining the USA to the gold medal. She also finished first on the USWNT in minutes played (1,804) and started 21 of her 22 matches while scoring five goals with three assists in 2024.
Naeher allowed just two goals in the Olympics. 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 a World Cup Final and an Olympic Final. During the year, Naeher also became just the third U.S. goalkeeper to hit 100 caps.
The USWNT will return to action in February for the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. The U.S. will open the tournament against Colombia on Thursday, Feb. 20 at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston.
No posts
Ready for more?
