MAKING THE CASE: Alyssa Naeher for BioSteel U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year

With her performance at the Tokyo Olympics, Alyssa Naeher once again showed why she is one of the top goalkeepers in the world and a nominee for the 2021 BioSteel U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year.

• READ MORE: 2021 BioSteel Female Player of the Year Nominees

 

While nominees are selected by U.S. Soccer’s technical staff, fans will now have the opportunity to vote on select Player of the Year Awards, with the fan vote comprising 15% of the total vote. Voting for the awards opened Monday, Dec. 6 at 11:00 a.m. ET and closes on Dec. 12 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The winners will be announced throughout the month of December.

 

• VOTE NOW: Fan Voting for Player of the Year Awards

Let’s take a look back at Naeher’s performances this year:

 

• With her performance at the 2020 Olympics, Naeher once again showed why she is one of the top goalkeepers in the world and was again named to the shortlist for The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper.

• The 33-year-old had a match for the ages on July 30 against the Netherlands in the Olympic quarterfinal, saving one penalty kick at the end of regulation and two in the shootout while make several crucial saves during regulation and overtime.

 

 

• She led a U.S. goalkeeping corps that did not allow a goal on home soil during the entirety of 2021.

• Naeher had a record of 9-1-3 on the year and posted eight clean sheets while allowing just seven goals on the year. With her shutout wins against Canada and Brazil at the 2021 SheBelieves Cup, she extended her international clean sheet streak to a career-high and all-time U.S. record 10 matches.

 

 

• Unfortunately, Naeher suffered a knee injury in the Olympic semifinal and had to leave the match –a first in her WNT career -- in the 30^th minute. She did not play again in 2021 for club or country.

• Naeher played in eight matches for the Chicago Red Stars before the Olympics, recording three clean sheets.

 

This is Naeher’s second nomination for Female Player of the Year, also earning recognition in 2019. She was a nominee for U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year in 2008.