After 11 years of epic saves, two World Cups, and a golden Olympic journey, U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher kicks off her retirement with a not-so-subtle hint that her gloves might finally take a breather.

Alyssa Naeher's retirement marks the end of an illustrious chapter for the U.S. women's national team, where she recorded an impressive 88 wins and 68 shutouts over 113 appearances. The only goalkeeper to have preserved a shutout in both a World Cup and Olympic final, Naeher leaves behind a legacy of spectacular saves, including pivotal moments in the 2019 World Cup semifinal and the Paris Olympics final. As she gears up for farewell matches against England and the Netherlands, she reflects on her journey with pride, knowing that her unforgettable memories—and perhaps her gloves—may finally get a well-deserved rest.

Naeher's international career began in 2014, initially serving as a backup to the legendary Hope Solo during the 2015 World Cup. It wasn't long before she stepped out of the shadow of the past and into the limelight herself, establishing her place as a formidable force between the posts. Throughout her time with the national team, Naeher not only distinguished herself by racking up wins, but also by maintaining a career goals-against average of just 0.50. This number is not just a statistic; it’s an impressive feat that would have made many strikers rethink their life choices.

During her tenure, Naeher played a pivotal role in the U.S. team's success, securing two World Cup titles and earning medals at both the Olympic gold and bronze events. When asked about her proudest moments, she cited key saves from critical matches. In the desperately contested semifinal against England in the 2019 World Cup, a moment where Naeher's reflexes were nothing short of cat-like, showcased her unique ability to keep the ball out of the net. 'There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline of those matches,' she remarked, as B-list memoirists began jotting down notes for their upcoming unauthorized biographies.

Not one to shy away from hard challenges, Naeher also displayed her skill in the face of pressure in the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup semifinals, where she saved three penalties and even scored one herself. That’s right—she plays a position notorious for stopping goals, yet managed to counterattack the scoreboard with her own. It’s almost as if she was saying, 'If we’re going to win, I’ll just do it myself.' This multi-tasking ability could easily land her a side job as a circus performer if she ever decided to put down her gloves.

However, don't expect Naeher to disappear entirely from the soccer scene. She plans to continue playing for the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL, keeping her trusty gloves on hand (or rather, on fingers) for club duties. 'I still love the game and want to keep playing at the club level,' she asserted with the determination of a player who refuses to let age be more than a number. The secret, it appears, is going from a team of international superstars to maintaining her position as a superstar for the locals.

With her retirement matches scheduled against England on Saturday and the Netherlands on December 3, it's a bittersweet parting for her fans and teammates alike. In each game, the sentiment will be palpable—as will the sound of flapping paper as autograph seekers prepare to feast on her signature. 'These matches are special for me,' Naeher confessed, hinting that every shot she stops will serve as a valedictory salute to her cherished experiences. Her goodbyes may be emotional, but her accomplishments stand as a legacy to appreciate.

In true Naeher fashion, she concluded by promising that the memories created with the national team will last a lifetime. A statement like that makes one wonder if she plans to have a sliding door installed in her memory vault just to accommodate all of her fond recollections. After all, it's not every day that a player not only makes a lasting impression on the field but also leaves a mark on the heart—special thanks to the many times she bailed her team out of sticky situations and sent rival strikers back to their drawing boards.

As Alyssa Naeher rounds out her international career, soccer fans everywhere can only hope that her future endeavors—whether they involve calling it quits on her gloves or carrying on club-level performance—stay as expertly executed as her career. Because, let's face it, who wouldn’t want to retire gracefully while still making the occasional highlight reel with last-minute saves?