After an 11-year playing career with the U.S. Women’s National Team, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher officially closed out her international career on Tuesday with six saves as the team resulted in a 2-1 comeback win against the Netherlands.

36-year-old goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher makes six saves in her final game to defeat the Netherlands 2-1 … [+] in a comeback win.

U.S. Women’s National Team

“I wanted to go out on a high,” said Naeher following the game. “This decision wasn’t a decision I made overnight, wasn’t something that I just decided on a whim. You wait until the end, you want to reassess and reevaluate based on how the year goes but I feel like in my heart, I would love to keep going. In my head and my body and mind, I feel like it’s the right time and then I think it’s the right time with this team as well as it builds towards the future and it builds towards 2027.”

Final Victory For Naeher With the USWNT

In the opening half, the USA struggled as the Netherlands dominated with a 60% possession rate. Topped off with an own goal from the USA, the opening minutes varied from their starting success.

However, as the Netherlands used their tactics for forward Jill Roord to challenge Naeher, the goalkeeper ended her career on a high note as she deflected several shots.

As the well-known heroic goalkeeper, Naeher’s performance once again shined in critical moments as Danielle van der Donk followed down the line and with a ball distributed from up top, the Dutch captain clipped in a shot directly on goal, but was denied as Naeher slid for the save.

With the victory, it also marked the USWNT’s 20th unbeaten game to boost the success under Head Coach, Emma Hayes. Hayes closed out her first year with the team in 15 unbeaten games with a solid run of 13 wins as she turned the team around.

“What I did say to her yesterday, in my opinion, she’s the greatest goalkeeper this country’s ever had, for lots of reasons,” said Hayes. “Most people don’t really realize what it takes to stay at the top. For her to do it, for the number of years she’s done it, wow.”

Naeher’s International Records and Success

During her time with the USWNT, Naeher won two World Cups and was on three World Cup squads and three Olympic Teams.

Additionally, one of her key pillars of success is that she is the only goalkeeper in women’s soccer history to earn a shutout in a World Cup Final and an Olympic gold medal game.

Naeher officially closes out her international career in third-place of all-time goalkeepers with 115 caps, 112 starts, 89 wins, and 69 shutouts. Her shutout percentage is higher than both Hope Solo and Briana Scurry in fewer games.

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher won two World Cups and was on three World Cup squads and three Olympic … [+] Teams with the U.S. Women’s National Team.

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“This has been a special team to be a part of and I am beyond proud of what we have achieved both on and off the field,” said Naeher. “The memories I have made over the years will last me a lifetime. I know one chapter is ending, but I am so excited to continue to see the growth of this team going forward and what more they can accomplish.”

Although her international career comes to an end, the goalkeeper will continue playing for the Chicago Red Stars until the 2025 NWSL season.