Alyssa Naeher of the United States women’s national team was stunned when a razor-thin penalty judgement against Sweden terminated her team’s run in the Women’s World Cup round of 16.
“Someone said there was a picture of it, and it was off by a millimetre,” Naeher explained. “It’s tough to have your World Cup end by a millimetre.”
Sweden advanced 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a scoreless 120 minutes. Naeher made an early block on Lina Hurtig’s game-winning kick, causing the ball to rise up and backward towards the goal line before knocking it clear. Naeher firmly informed the referee that she had made the save, but an automated decision based on ball sensors revealed that the ball had only just passed the line.
Naeher, kicking sixth in the rotation, saved one kick from Rebecka Blomqvist and even scored a penalty, while USWNT stars Megan Rapinoe, Kelley O’Hara, and Sophia Smith all missed their penalties.
Who is Alyssa Naeher?
Alyssa Naeher is an American professional soccer player who is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Born on April 20, 1988, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Naeher’s passion for soccer began at a young age, and she quickly excelled in the sport.
Naeher’s soccer journey started at Penn State University, where she played college soccer and became one of the most decorated goalkeepers in NCAA history. During her time at Penn State, she was named the Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year and earned numerous All-American honors.
In 2010, Naeher was drafted by the Boston Breakers in the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league. She made an immediate impact in her rookie season and quickly established herself as a standout goalkeeper in the league. Her consistent performances earned her the WPS Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2014.
After the WPS disbanded, Naeher joined the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2016. With Chicago, she continued to display her exceptional shot-stopping abilities and helped lead the team to multiple playoff appearances.
Naeher’s crowning moment came when she became the starting goalkeeper for the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT). She made her international debut in 2014 and was part of the U.S. squad that won the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Naeher played a pivotal role in the team’s success, making crucial saves during key moments of the tournament, including a crucial penalty stop in the semifinal.
In the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Naeher once again demonstrated her incredible skill and composure in goal. She made a memorable penalty save in the final against the Netherlands, helping the U.S. secure their fourth World Cup title.
