Alyssa Naeher has officially retired from professional soccer, ending a distinguished 17-year career that spanned the United States Women’s National Team and the NWSL. The 38-year-old goalkeeper announced her departure on Friday via Instagram, marking the close of an era for the sport. In her statement, Naeher expressed deep gratitude for the “abundance of memories” and lifelong friends the game provided, noting that she had given everything to a career that exceeded her initial dreams.
The NWSL pioneer and World Cup hero hangs up her gloves after a historic run with Chicago.
Naeher’s journey began during the fragile early years of professional women’s soccer in the U.S. As one of the few original players from the NWSL’s inaugural 2013 season, she started with the Boston Breakers before joining the Chicago Red Stars (now Chicago Stars) ahead of the 2016 campaign. Her tenure in Chicago proved pivotal, with the veteran keeper making 203 appearances over 11 seasons. She served as team captain for several years and guided the Stars to two NWSL playoff finals appearances in 2019 and 2021, cementing her status as a cornerstone of the franchise.
Beyond her club success, Naeher remains a global icon for her performance in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where her penalty shootout heroics secured the title for the USWNT. Her retirement signifies the end of a transitional period in the league, as she was one of the last remaining players from the NWSL’s founding roster. As the sport continues to grow in viewership and investment, Naeher’s legacy stands as a testament to the resilience and evolution of professional women’s soccer in America.
Source: Yahoo Sports
