Chicago City Wire

Two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist, Alyssa Naeher, will return for a 10th season to the Chicago Red Stars, the club announced today. Naeher will continue tending goal for the Red Stars through 2025.

“I’m excited to be returning to Chicago for my 10th season. I’m looking forward to being on the field with my teammates, competing for championships and continuing to try to make this club the best it can be,” said Naeher.

“We are thrilled to welcome Alyssa back for her 10th season with the club,” said Red Stars general manager Richard Feuz. “She has always been invaluable for the club in the goal. Having her world-class talent and leadership on and off the pitch next season, anchoring the team, sets up the Red Stars for an exciting 2025.”

Naeher first joined the Red Stars in 2016 via a trade with the Boston Breakers where she spent three seasons. Naeher has played and started in 135 regular-season matches for the club and helped lead them to six of their seven consecutive playoff appearances, including an NWSL Championship match and the first NWSL Challenge Cup Final in 2020. Active since the inaugural 2013 NWSL season, Naeher is notable as the first goalkeeper in league history to reach 150 regular-season appearances, win 50 matches with one club, play 15,000 minutes in the NWSL, and holds the record for most saves by a goalkeeper. The Connecticut native was also recently nominated for the Ballon d’Or, becoming the first NWSL goalkeeper to be nominated.

Internationally, Naeher is considered one of United States' best goalkeepers ever. She has played 111 matches for her country with 67 clean sheets. Though involved between 2014-2016, she became first choice in 2017. Now ranking third all-time in appearances, wins and shutouts for her national team, during the 2023 Women’s World Cup she became notable as the first goalkeeper to convert and save a penalty in a shootout. At the Paris Olympics in 2024, she made history again by keeping a clean sheet in both a World Cup Final and an Olympic gold medal match.

This season has seen more accolades added to her career; winning two Save of the Week honors (Week 1 and Week 15) and being named to NWSL’s March/April Best XI of The Month presented by Amazon Prime. She joins former teammate Alyssa Mautz (2013-2022) as only other player spending a decade with Red Stars.

Naeher and her team continue their push for playoffs as they prepare to face North Carolina Courage on Sunday, September 29 at SeatGeek Stadium at 5:00 p.m CT. Tickets can be secured at chicagoredstars.com/tickets.