Alyssa Naeher prepares to retire after key friendlies against England and Netherlands

In the United States, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher expressed her confidence in head coach Emma Hayes, emphasizing that the impact of Hayes on the team is just the beginning. Since taking charge of the USA team during the summer, Hayes has led them to an Olympic gold medal in Paris and achieved a remarkable record of 12 wins in 13 matches. This success has invigorated the team, especially after their disappointing last-16 exit at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The team now looks forward to closing out the year with two friendly matches against top opponents England and the Netherlands. Naeher, who has been a crucial player for the U.S. team, will conclude her international career after these two friendlies. She has earned 113 caps and was instrumental in the team's victories at the France 2019 World Cup, including a standout performance in the semifinal against England where she saved a crucial penalty kick. Naeher expressed her excitement about playing in high-stakes matches against England, highlighting the respect she has for the Lionesses as formidable opponents. As the U.S. team prepares for their matches, they will be tested against two of the highest-ranked teams in the FIFA ratings, with Hayes’ squad currently holding the number one position and England in second. Naeher spoke about the importance of these challenging matches for the continued development of the team. The upcoming friendlies provide an opportunity to face quality opponents, which Naeher believes is essential for preparing the team for future competitive scenarios. This transition period under Hayes marks a new chapter for the U.S. women’s national soccer team as they seek to rebuild and regain dominance in international soccer. With Naeher's retirement, the team will also be focusing on integrating new talent while maintaining the standards set by her and other veteran players. The combination of Hayes' leadership and the celebratory farewell of Naeher sets the stage for an inspiring conclusion to the year for the U.S. soccer team.