Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher has been named the 2024 U.S. Soccer Player of the Year after a stellar year. The award is based on a weighted vote of national team coaches, national team players who earned a cap in 2024, members of the US Soccer Board of Directors, the Athletes’ Council of US Soccer, National Women’s Soccer League head coaches, select members of the media and administrators. , and the fans. Naeher received the majority of votes (40.8%), followed by defender Naomi Girma (32.2%).
“It’s an incredible honor to cap off what has been a very special year with this team,” Naeher said. “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 throughout the year by my incredible teammates; the work we have done, their commitment to the team and our goals, and all their love and support.
Naeher recently retired on the international scene and played his last matches with the senior team in two friendlies in Europe against England and the Netherlands. She will continue to play at club level and is currently signed with Chicago Stars FC.
She was also voted the best female goalkeeper of the year 2024 by FIFA. The US Soccer award has always been won by attacking players, but in recent years the award has gone to players who operate lower down the pitch. Central defender Girma received the award in 2023, and defensive midfielder Julie Ertz won it in 2017 and 2019.
The goalkeeper had a remarkable 2024, where she made several shots on goal in the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup and 2024 SheBelieves Cup, and helped the team win the gold medal at the Olympics summer of 2024. She is the first goalkeeper to achieve a shutout in a FIFA Women’s World Cup final and a match for the Olympic gold medal.
She is the 21st player to receive this honor, and only the second goalkeeper to win this award in its 40-year history. Hope Solo earned the individual distinction in 2009. Naeher stepped into the starting goalie role in 2017 after a long history of Hall of Fame caliber goaltenders Briana Scurry and Solo. She leaves the game with two World Cup titles, a gold medal and numerous the historical climax saves.
