After decades of consistency, USWNT doesn’t have a No. 1 goalkeeper. It’s by design

AI Summary

The U.S. women's national team has not settled on a permanent starting goalkeeper since Alyssa Naeher retired from international soccer in 2024. Head coach Emma Hayes and her staff say ongoing competition for the position is intentional.

The U.S. women’s national team has always had a clear No. 1 goalkeeper, with the position following an obvious line of succession since the program’s beginnings. Yet, since Alyssa Naeher retired from international soccer in 2024, who her permanent replacement is remains anyone’s guess. And that, national team coaches say, is all part of their plan. Constant competition for the top spot in net is by design, with U.S. women’s head coach Emma Hayes and her coaching staff intentionally using the las