Alyssa Naeher USWNT vs NetherlandsGetty Images
Ryan TolmichDec 3, 2024Player ratingsUSAA. NaeherFEATURESNetherlands vs USANetherlandsFriendlies

USWNT player ratings vs the Netherlands: Alyssa Naeher rises to challenge one more time, as retiring goalkeeper puts in a vintage performance to lift Emma Hayes' side to win

The legendary shot-stopper helped her side escape with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands that they may not have deserved

It really was Alyssa Naeher's night in every sense of the word. Making her final U.S. women's national team appearance, the legendary U.S. goalkeeper offered one more look at why she'll go down as one of this team's greats. There was no drop-off and no time for nostalgia - this was vintage Naeher, and the USWNT won because of it.

Naeher made multiple colossal saves throughout Tuesday's struggle-fest against Netherlands, helping preserve a 2-1 win that sent her out on a deserving high note. It was exactly the type of performance that the USWNT has expected from Naeher throughout her legendary career, and it was exactly the type of performance the USWNT needed to escape with a victory that they arguably didn't deserve.

The Netherlands were dominant throughout the first half, even aside from Veerle Buurman's 15th-minute goal. The hosts fired multiple shots at Naeher, but she was game for all of them, keeping her side in it. It ultimately paid off just before the half, when - ironically - it was Buurman's unfortunate own goal that sent the two teams into the half level.

Several subs from Emma Hayes corrected the USWNT's first-half deficiencies, and even though they were out-shot by the Netherlands 23-5, one of those subs ultimately scored the winner. Played in by Yazmeen Ryan, Lynn Williams' goal in the 71st minute sent the USWNT home with yet another win - the 13th in 15 games that Emma Hayes has been in charge, with zero losses. It also meant the  U.S. ended 2024 with a 18-1-4 record overall, and a 20-match unbeaten streak, and an Olympic gold medal.

And more importantly, and poignantly, it rounded off Naeher's career with a yet another celebratory moment.

She wore the captain's armband in her 115th international appearance, a stretch that goes back to her debut on Dec. 18, 2014, against Argentina. Naeher is two-time World Cup winner (2015 and 2019) and an Olympic gold medalist, with shutouts in the finals of both the 2019 World Cup and the Paris Games final this summer.

This was a USWNT win, but it was, and was always going to be, Naeher's night. She made sure of it herself with another huge game, one that served as one final reminder of how hard she'll be to replace as she moves on.

GOAL rates the USWNT's players from The Hague.

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    Goalkeeper & Defense

    Alysas Naeher (9/10):

    In her final match, Naeher was at her very best. This was vintage Naeher, as she made multiple huge saves to keep the USWNT in it.

    Jenna Nighswonger (3/10):

    About as rough of a half as we've seen from a USWNT player of late. Was absolutely torched multiple times before being taken out at halftime.

    Tierna Davidson (5/10):

    Played her part in the own goal, as her free kick was redirected in. Had some difficult moments defensively, but was able to survive.

    Naomi Girma (6/10):

    May or may not have been fouled on the Netherlands goal. Still, was shakier than usual as the Netherlands gave the USWNT backline headaches.

    Emily Fox (6/10):

    Looked solid as usual, even if those around her struggled a bit more than anyone would have expected.

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    Midfield

    Sam Coffey (6/10):

    Did her job as usual, but there were a few giveaways in there that made things a bit harder. Even so, she was fine.

    Korbin Albert (5/10):

    Never really found the balance with Lavelle and Horan as the more attack-minded midfielders. Right now, she's a lesser version of those two, which isn't helpful when they're both on the field, too.

    Lindsey Horan (5/10):

    Played in a odd spot due to the USWNT's lack of a true No. 9. Struggled to really influence the game despite being played higher up.

    Rose Lavelle (6/10):

    At times, looked like the most dangerous player on the field, but that's not saying much given how quiet the USWNT was for large stretches. Never quite created THE chance before being taken off in the second half.

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    Attack

    Jaedyn Shaw (4/10):

    Really struggled to get into the game. Was fighting for the ball on the Netherlands own goal, so she did have something to do with that, but, outside of that, was nearly invisible.

    Yazmeen Ryan (7/10):

    An absolutely fantastic assist on Williams' goal. Was somewhat quiet before that, but the effort never stopped as she built up to a lovely cross to win the game.

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    Subs & Manager

    Emily Sonnett (6/10):

    Brought in at left-back to provide stability and leadership. Did just that as the U.S. calmed down in the second half.

    Lynn Williams (9/10):

    Got in and scored the game-winner - can't ask for much more than that.

    Alyssa Thompson (7/10):

    Was dangerous throughout her time on the field. On another day, could have had a goal, an assist or more.

    Hal Hershfelt (6/10):

    Did her thing in midfield as she helped the U.S. get more control.

    Lily Yohannes (6/10):

    A huge night for her, but you'd never have known it based on her demeanor. Was so, so calm as she showed flashes of why both of these teams wanted her so badly (even as she withstood some occasional booing from the Netherlands crowd).

    Ally Sentnor (N/A):

    Came on in the final minutes to see out the game.

    Emma Hayes (7/10):

    Got it fairly wrong with the initial tactics, but fixed it at halftime with her subs. Ultimately, those subs helped seal the win, so a good job from the USWNT boss, who has yet to lose with this squad.