Two-time Women’s World Cup winner and Olympic champion Alyssa Naeher hangs up her boots

After competing with the United States’ U-17, U-20 and U-23 teams, Alyssa Naeher spent a decade with the senior women’s team. becoming a regular between the sticks. | Photo Credit: AP

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher announced her retirement from professional football (soccer) after 16 seasons that included two ​World Cup titles in that span with the United ‌States women’s national team and a ​gold medal at the 2024 Olympics ⁠in Paris.

A product of Pennsylvania State University, the Connecticut native began her professional career with the Boston Breakers in ‌Women’s Professional Soccer then moved to Germany to play professionally when the league ‌folded.

Naeher returned to Boston’s entry in ‌the ⁠National Women’s Soccer League after the ⁠league was formed.

Naeher, 38, has played 11 seasons with the Chicago Stars, appearing in 179 games and scoring ‌a goal. After competing with the United States’ U-17, U-20 and U-23 teams, she made 115 appearances with the USWNT.

“The decision to ‌retire is never an easy one, but ​after a lot of prayer and reflection, I feel like it is the ⁠right time,” Naeher said in a team release.

“When I got traded from Boston to ‌Chicago at the end of 2015, I felt like my world got turned upside down, but Chicago very quickly became my home away from home. I feel incredibly blessed to have shared the field with so many amazing ‌teammates over the last 11 years.”

Naeher retired from international competition in 2024 but remained in NWSL, where she leads the league in career appearances for a goalkeeper (224) and saves (765) in regular-season play.