Current:Home > ScamsAlyssa Naeher, American hero, was unflappable for USWNT in Olympic gold medal match win-InfoLens
Alyssa Naeher, American hero, was unflappable for USWNT in Olympic gold medal match win
View Date:2024-12-23 17:02:44
PARIS – Alyssa Naeher might as well change the nickname on her Wikipedia page to “Captain America” or “Secretary of Defense” herself.
The USWNT goalkeeper's one-handed stop – like a basketball defender blocking someone at the rim – on a header from Brazil’s Adriana in the fourth minute of stoppage time saved the day and preserved the Americans' 1-0 win in the Olympic gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Games. Minutes later, her teammates pounced on her after the referee blew the final whistle, ending more than 10 minutes of stoppage time.
Naeher was unflappable all match.
In stoppage time of the first half, the 36-year-old leapt off her line, skyward and to the right. She pawed at the ball floating toward the back of the net and deflected it to the side, her body crashing down, the hopes of a gold medal still intact. Brazil’s Gabi Porthilo had come within inches of breaking a scoreless tie.
"We would not be here right now without Alyssa," forward Sophia Smith said after the win. "And we just wanna remind her that every day because she’s so special."
2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.
For much of the Paris Olympics tournament, the USWNT's defense excelled at a level that allowed Naeher to hardly break a sweat.
That was not the case in the first half against Brazil. The Americans needed their keeper to be at her best in the gold-medal match Saturday. She was.
Naeher’s first clutch save of the day came in the second minute of the match. Ludmila, who caused problems for the U.S. back line all afternoon, slithered through the defense and fired the match’s first shot on net. But Naeher was there to swallow up the weakly hit attempt.
And Naeher was there when it mattered most.
Alyssa Naeher saves vs. Brazil
The USA TODAY app brings you every Team USA medal — right when it happens. Download for full Olympics coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and much more.
veryGood! (4)
Related
- New York nursing home operator accused of neglect settles with state for $45M
- Here are nine NYC shows we can't wait to see this spring
- Casey Phair becomes youngest ever to play in Women's World Cup at age 16
- Hugh Carter Jr., the cousin who helped organize Jimmy Carter’s ‘Peanut Brigade,’ has died
- Diamond Sports Group will offer single-game pricing to stream NBA and NHL games starting next month
- 'Sopranos' actor Michael Imperioli grapples with guilt and addiction in 'White Lotus'
- Work from home as a drive-thru employee? How remote blue-collar jobs are catching on
- Court says OxyContin maker’s bankruptcy and protections for Sackler family members can move ahead
- Georgia State University is planning a $107M remake of downtown Atlanta
- Mexico’s homicide rate dropped in 2022, but appears to flatline in 2023, official figures show
Ranking
- At age 44, Rich Hill's baseball odyssey continues - now with Team USA
- Obamas' beloved chef found dead in Martha's Vineyard lake after going missing while paddleboarding
- Fire rages after reactor 'catastrophically failed' at Pittsburgh power substation
- All the Stars Who Were Almost Cast in Barbie
- Here's what 3 toys were inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame this year
- Kyle Richards Sets the Record Straight on Why She Wasn't Wearing Mauricio Umansky Wedding Ring
- Our favorite authors share their favorite books
- Twitter is now X. Here's what that means.
Recommendation
-
Judith Jamison, acclaimed Alvin Ailey American dancer and director, dead at 81
-
Vivienne Westwood, influential punk fashion maverick, dies at 81
-
Mexico’s homicide rate dropped in 2022, but appears to flatline in 2023, official figures show
-
Connecticut mother arrested after 2-year-old son falls from 3rd story window
-
Jon Gruden joins Barstool Sports three years after email scandal with NFL
-
100% coral mortality found in coral reef restoration site off Florida as ocean temperatures soar
-
From cycling to foraging, here's what we were really into this year
-
2022 was a good year for Nikki Grimes, who just published her 103rd book