In sports, as in life, every chapter has its conclusion, but some stories are simply too compelling to end completely. For Alyssa Naeher, one of the most accomplished goalkeepers in soccer history, this pivotal moment came with a bittersweet announcement: stepping away from the international scene while remaining committed to her cherished Chicago Red Stars.

After a remarkable career with the USWNT, with 113 appearances, she is two times FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion, an Olympic gold medalist, and seven times SheBelieves Cup champion. Naeher realized it was time to pass the torch. Her crucial penalty save from Steph Houghton in 2019 against England will be forever remembered as it secured USA’s spot in the final.

In The Women’s Game podcast with Sam Mewis, Naeher shared an incident where she found herself in a heartfelt conversation with her father about her decision. “He thought I was retiring from both,” Naeher said. But when she informed him that she would continue playing for Chicago, he felt a wave of relief. He said, “I’m so glad you’ve decided to at least stay with Chicago.”

Choosing to retire from the USWNT wasn’t a decision made overnight. For years, Naeher had playfully joked with friends about being on the brink of retirement. Yet, as each season wrapped up, she found herself reevaluating her path. But as she approached 2024, a sense of clarity emerged.

As the USWNT heads into the next cycle, the 2027 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, Naeher thinks it‘s time to pass the torch. Alyssa Naeher thinks her journey is more than just achievements. As she steps away from international play, Naeher hopes people will look at her legacy differently.

Alyssa Naeher on her legacy

In sports, although the stats tell part of the story, the individual behind those numbers is responsible for their effects. And as Alyssa bids farewell to the U.S. Women’s National Team, she wants everybody to know it is not about the trinkets or trophies but about what she has given to the sport.

For more than a decade, Naeher has been a pillar in the goal, helping USWNT with impossible saves and clutching whenever they needed her. However, when her former teammate Sam Mewis asked for the one thing for which Naeher wished to be remembered, she opted not for what she had achieved. “All the wins, all the trophies—that’s the gravy,” she said. She hopes everyone to remember her as a good teammate and a good person.

Naeher has always been there for the team. She takes pride in being someone her teammates can count on, whether that means being a steadying presence during a tense match or a supportive friend off the field. Her greatest and deepest wish is to be remembered for her honesty, her decency, and for taking care of her friends—a wish possibly more noble than any other wish from others in the game.

In her own words, Naeher leaves the game with no regrets, having remained true to herself and her values. And perhaps that is the greatest save of all.