Alyssa Naeher has officially retired from professional soccer, ending a distinguished 17-season club career that cemented her status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. The 38-year-old announced her departure on Friday, November 13, concluding her tenure with the Chicago Stars, where she spent her final 11 years. Naeher had previously stepped away from the U.S. women’s national team in 2024 following a historic gold medal victory at the Paris Olympics, marking the end of an era for both the national program and the NWSL.
Chicago Stars captain leaves NWSL as all-time leader in saves, wins, and appearances.
Her statistical legacy is unmatched in the league’s history. Naeher retires as the NWSL’s career leader in saves (765), goalkeeper appearances (224), and wins (74), while also ranking second all-time with 50 clean sheets. Recognized for her elite performance, she claimed the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2014 and earned Best XI honors. As the longtime captain of the Chicago Stars, she set franchise records for consecutive starts (25) and consecutive minutes played (2,249), serving as the defensive anchor for a team that reached the playoffs six consecutive seasons between 2016 and 2022.
Naeher’s impact extended beyond individual accolades, as she guided the Chicago Stars to the championship final in both 2019 and 2021. In her retirement statement, she reflected on the emotional weight of her journey, noting, “It’s hard to put the last 17 years into words… I’ve given everything I have to this game.” Stars President Karen Leetzow echoed the sentiment, stating there are “no words to truly encapsulate what Alyssa has meant to the Chicago Stars,” highlighting the profound influence Naeher had on the franchise’s culture and competitive success during her tenure.
Source: Yahoo Sports
