January 22 – For only the second time in 40 years, a goalkeeper has been voted the 2024 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year. Alyssa Naeher follows in the steps of the great Hope Solo, who took home the award in 2009.
It’s been a big year for Naeher, who was also voted The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year and was selected to The Best FIFA Best Women’s 11, becoming the 21st different player to win this award.
Naeher, who recently announced her international retirement on November 25, played her final two games for the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) on November 30 vs. England in London and November 3 vs. the Netherlands in The Hague.
During this momentous year, Naeher, hit the 100-cap mark, and played every minute of the 2024 Olympics, allowing just two goals on the way to the gold medal.
The USA won all three knockout games at the Olympics by 1-0 scores – two of which went into overtime – and 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.
“This is an incredible honour, to cap off what has been a very special year with this team,” said Naeher.
“This team is made up of a special group of players, coaches, and staff and all year you could feel that energy and that we had the opportunity to achieve something great. I was inspired all year long by my incredible teammates; the work we put in, the commitment to the team and our goals, and all of their love and support.”
For the third time, fans were able to vote for the U.S. Soccer Player of the Year Award with those votes weighted at 15% of the total. Of the five finalists for the Female Player of the Year Award, Naeher garnered 40.8% percent of the weighted vote, followed by defender Naomi Girma (32.2%).
The U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year has been awarded since 1985, when midfielder Sharon Remer earned the first Female Player of the Year honour. Abby Wambach has won it six times, the most of any player.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1737540071labto1737540071ofdlr1737540071owedi1737540071sni@o1737540071fni1737540071