Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher has won the 2024 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year award after an outstanding year. The award is based on weighted votes from national team coaches, 2024 cap-earned national team players, members of the U.S. Soccer Board of Governors, the U.S. Soccer Players Council, U.S. Women’s Soccer League coaches, and select media members and administrators. , and fans. Naeher received the majority of votes (40.8%), followed by defender Naomi Girma (32.2%).
“I’m truly honored to be coming off a very special year with this team,” Naeher said. “This team is made up of a special group of players, coaches and staff, and I’ve felt that energy and energy all year long. I’m very proud of our team.” “I’ve been inspired all year long by the incredible hard work they put in, their dedication to their team and goals, and all their love and support.”
Naeher recently retired. He came out on the international stage and played his last game for the senior team in European friendlies against England and the Netherlands. She will continue to play at club level and is currently signed to Chicago Stars FC.
She was also named the Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper of 2024. While USA Soccer awards have historically been given out to attacking players, recent years have seen the award go to players who operate lower on the pitch. Center back Girma won the award in 2023, and defensive midfielder Julie Ertz won the award in 2017 and 2019.
The goalkeeper had an incredible 2024, scoring several penalty shoot-outs in the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup and 2024 SheBelieves Cup, and helping the team win gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics. She is the first goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in a FIFA Women’s World Cup final and an Olympic gold medal match.
She is the 21st player to receive this honor and only the second goalkeeper in the 40-year history of the award. Hope Solo won the individual award in 2009. Naeher took over as the starting goalie in 2017, following Hall of Fame goalkeepers Briana Scurry and Solo. She left the games with two World Cup titles, a gold medal, and numerous other wins. Save historical highlights.
