The spotlight was on Naeher, and rightfully so, but her swansong was one of several storylines that unfolded throughout the match
The time never feels right to step away; it always feels either too soon or too late. And, when it comes to Alyssa Naeher, she made it feel like her international career is ending prematurely – and that's because she's still pretty damn good at what she does.
Naeher is stepping away, she did so with a win. Thanks to a Lynn Williams game-winner in the 71st minute, the USWNT left The Hague with a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands. It was a hard-fought win, one that, for large stretches, looked like it wasn't going to go the USWNT's way, as they were at times outplayed and out-shot (a whopping 23-5) by the host side.
The spotlight was on Naeher on Tuesday, and rightfully so, but her swansong was one of several storylines that unfolded throughout the match. There was Williams leading a group of supersubs to turn the game around. There were some uncharacteristic struggles from USWNT regulars all over the field throughout what might just be the worst half of the Hayes era. And there were some bright moments, too, particularly from newcomers fighting for their spot.
GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from The Hague.
AFPWINNER: Alyssa Naeher
You could argue she deserved to go out with another trophy in hand but, even so, as send-offs go, this was about as good as it gets.
Naeher was the clear star, the clear player of the match, as she led the USWNT to the win. By the end of it, she'd made six saves, each seemingly more difficult than the last, as she kept the USWNT in it almost single-handedly at times. We'd seen Naeher do it before but to do it in her final international game? That really was something special.
You could see how much it meant to her teammates after the match as they lined up to take photos alongside her one last time. The USWNT's famous "Uncle" has always been beloved, not just for what she can do on the field but for the support she provides her teammates off of it. The USWNT will miss that once she's gone.
Tuesday was all about Naeher, as it should have been. And, with her play in goal, she made sure that she walked away seemingly at the peak of her powers with one final standout performance to bookend a career full of them.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Other USWNT goalkeepers
To put it lightly, good luck!
Naeher is stepping away near the peak of her powers, which will only complicate this transition period. For whichever player is next up, the comparisons will hang heavy in the air, particularly as long as Naeher continues to thrive in the NWSL. After the performance she put on Tuesday, fans will be left wanting more – a tough challenge for any player asked to replace the irreplaceable.
In general, the USWNT No. 1 job comes with weight. It has been one occupied by legends such as Brianna Curry, Hope Solo and, now, Naeher. She felt that weight when she took over from Solo and, throughout her career, has only added more for the next up.
There's no replacing Naeher, but someone will have to try. Whichever goalkeeper wins that job will be under plenty of pressure, especially given how good Naeher has been – and still is.
Getty Images SportWINNER: Lynn Williams
She didn't have her best day in the USWNT's 0-0 draw with England last weekend, but she surely made the most of her chance against the Netherlands.
Played in by Yazmeen Ryan, Williams provided the finish the U.S. needed to escape with a 2-1 win. And It continued Williams' ridiculous run as a supersub, as she's now scored a whopping 10 goals off the bench in a U.S. shirt.
Williams remains a player who can greatly impact a game, and she did just that against the Netherlands. After the U.S. gained a little bit of control back in the second half, the substitute attacker was there to make the most of it to rally the U.S.
It showed that Williams still has a big part to play, even among the young stars around her. That veteran presence off the bench is so, so valuable, and Williams proved why again on Tuesday – especially with the attacking trio of Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson not available.
Getty Images SportLOSER: Jenna Nighswonger
No sugarcoating this one: this wasn't a good game. From the opening whistle, Nighswonger looked miles off of it, struggling to really match the speed of the Netherlands attack. She was breezed past on multiple occasions, leaving the U.S. defense exposed throughout a one-sided first half. She was taken off at halftime, thankfully before any more damage was done.
It's easy to forget that Nighswonger is just 17 caps into her USWNT career. Just two years ago, she was playing at the college level. This is all still new to her and, despite her Olympic success this summer, there will be rough moments.
Tuesday was one of those. They happen, and they're no reason to write anyone off. It'll be interesting to see what Nighswonger learns from this as she continues on with her USWNT career.
